Using the Imperfect with Pendant

Afi-Enam B.A2Kwiziq community member

Using the Imperfect with Pendant

If pendant is used to describe past durations with a clear beginning and end, and the imperfect is used to describe continuing actions or habits in the past, why is the example "J'étais là pendant quarante-cinq minutes" instead of "J'ai été là pendant quarante-cinq minutes" since the passé composé is used to describe actions with a clear beginning & end in the past. 

Is there a rule exception for using pendant and l'imparfait?

Asked 4 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

There is this pesky topic of "verbs of state", which usually ask for the imperfect tense, since they are interpreted as describing a state of being rather than an event in time. Être is one such verb, but there are others. Check here for a bit more information: https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/passe-compose-vs-imparfait-2/

Using the Imperfect with Pendant

If pendant is used to describe past durations with a clear beginning and end, and the imperfect is used to describe continuing actions or habits in the past, why is the example "J'étais là pendant quarante-cinq minutes" instead of "J'ai été là pendant quarante-cinq minutes" since the passé composé is used to describe actions with a clear beginning & end in the past. 

Is there a rule exception for using pendant and l'imparfait?

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