Why passe' compose'?

Mike H.B2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Why passe' compose'?

"and little by little, I became very small"--Why is passe' compose' used here? It seems an event with absolutely no clear beginning or end.

This question relates to:French writing exercise "Mister Snowman"

Freeform Writing Exercise A2

Asked 3 years ago

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Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Passé composé fits the English description. It is an event that occurred once, started when the sun began to shine “around midday” and has ended “became small”, not “was becoming smaller”.

“Clear start and end” does not have to be fully and precisely expressed, it can be implicit or contextual.

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/passe-compose-vs-imparfait/

le-passe-compose-usage-on-its-own-or-with-l-imparfait

Like03 years ago

Mike H. asked:View original

Why passe' compose'?

"and little by little, I became very small"--Why is passe' compose' used here? It seems an event with absolutely no clear beginning or end.

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