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L’imparfait ou le passé composé?
L’imparfait ou le passé composé?
Basic ideas about when to use the passé composé and the imparfait:
Basic ideas about when to use the passé composé and the imparfait:
Of course when we talk about the past, both tenses often occur in the same story.
As you are thinking, speaking, or writing in French, consider the below clues to choosing imparfait/passé composé.
General rule:
The passé composé is usually used in answer to the question “What happened?”
The imparfait usually answers the question “What was going on when something else happened?”
Situations in context:
Habits, repeated actions= imparfait.
A change in the habit or routine=passé composé.
A description of age, mood/feelings, weather= imparfait.
If the action is limited in time (the beginning or end are very clear) = passé composé.
Actions that bring more information to the story=imparfait.
Actions that advance the story = passé composé.
A condition or situation that lasts in the past during an undefined time (no clear beginning or end) = imparfait.
An action that interrupts this situation=passé composé.
Clues! Words that indicate imparfait or passé composé:
More clues! être, avoir, pouvoir, vouloir, and savoir
These verbs are usually in the imparfait in the past, be in the imparfait, since they most likely describe a past state of being or condition.
If you see these verbs in the passé composé, they indicate a change of state or a change of condition.
Compare these examples:
Longer example: it’s sometimes difficult to tell imparfait/passé composé without knowing the whole context of the story/situation in the past.
Notice how this story starts with a description of Dre’s early childhood in the imparfait, which serves as background to the events in the passé composé.
Récapitulation/Quick reference chart:
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