Uses of the imperfect

Level 2

The imparfait (imperfect) is the 'painter's brush' of the past. It sets the scene by describing what was happening, how things were, or what used to happen, without focusing on a specific start or end point.

How It Works

The imparfait is essential for storytelling in French. Its primary functions include:

  • Habitual Actions: Things you did repeatedly or 'used to' do.
    Ex: Quand j'étais petit, je jouais au foot. (When I was little, I used to play soccer.)
  • Ongoing States & Descriptions: Describing people, places, weather, or feelings in the past.
    Ex: Il faisait beau et j'étais heureux. (The weather was nice and I was happy.)
  • Simultaneous Actions: Two things happening at the same time.
    Ex: Je lisais pendant qu'il cuisinait. (I was reading while he was cooking.)
  • Background for an Interruption: Setting the scene before a specific event occurs (usually in the passé composé).
    Ex: Je dormais quand le téléphone a sonné. (I was sleeping when the phone rang.)

Formation Note: The imparfait is formed by taking the nous stem of the present tense and adding: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient. The only irregular stem is être (ét-).

Examples (4)

  1. Quand nous habitions à Lyon, nous allions souvent au marché.

    When we lived in Lyon, we used to go to the market often.

    Word by Word: When we were-living at Lyon, we were-going often to-the market.

    Both verbs use the imparfait because they describe a past state (living in Lyon) and a habit (going to the market).

  2. Il était minuit et il pleuvait des cordes.

    It was midnight and it was raining cats and dogs.

    Word by Word: It was midnight and it was-raining some ropes.

    The imparfait is used here to describe the time and the weather, setting the scene.

  3. Je faisais mes devoirs quand ma mère est entrée.

    I was doing my homework when my mother entered.

    Word by Word: I was-doing my homework when my mother is entered.

    The imparfait (faisais) shows the ongoing background action, while the passé composé (est entrée) shows the specific interrupting event.

  4. À cette époque, j'avais dix ans et je voulais devenir pilote.

    At that time, I was ten years old and I wanted to become a pilot.

    Word by Word: At that time, I had ten years and I was-wanting to-become pilot.

    Age and desires/intentions in the past are expressed using the imparfait.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the passé composé for childhood habits.

    Quand j'ai été petit, j'ai joué au tennis tous les jours.
    Quand j'étais petit, je jouais au tennis tous les jours.

    Habits in the past require the imparfait. The passé composé implies the action happened once or for a strictly defined period, which doesn't fit a general childhood habit.

  • Confusing 'would' for habits with the conditional tense.

    Le dimanche, nous mangerions ensemble.
    Le dimanche, nous mangions ensemble.

    In English, 'would' can mean a past habit (I would eat there every day). In French, this must be the imparfait, not the conditionnel.

  • Forgetting the spelling changes for -ger and -cer verbs.

    Je mangais une pomme.
    Je mangeais une pomme.

    For -ger verbs, you must keep the 'e' before endings starting with 'a' to maintain the soft 'g' sound.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Uses of the imperfectLevel 2

Learn This First

To understand the usage of the imperfect tense for habitual and ongoing actions, learners must first be able to form the imperfect tense itself. Additionally, since the imperfect is primarily defined by its contrast with completed actions in the past, knowledge of the passé composé is essential for context. Basic sentence components like subject pronouns are also required.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.