Why "a eu" rather than "avait"

Question

Why "il y a eu une brouille" rather than il y avait une brouille"  My understanding is "a eu" means something like "got."  A single action in the past while "avait" implies an ongoing action.  Sounds to me that the rift was more like an ongoing action than a single incident.

Céline Pickard · Accepted Answer

Bonjour Carl,
If you use L'Imparfait, it would sound strange to a French ear because it would sound as if you're describing something, setting a scene even (i.e. as if there were an ongoing rift sitting in the background - which is strange). In this context, the correct tense is Le Passé Composé because the daughter is stating the fact that the rift happened. It's a past event she knows took place and not a backdrop she's describing.
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !