Compound Past or Imperfect
The imperfect is the background, and the compound past is the event.
How It Works
| Tense | Job | Example |
|---|---|---|
| compound past | an event that happened | Joan es arribat. |
| imperfect | what was going on | Manjavi. |
Put them together and you get the usual pattern: Manjavi quand Joan es arribat. I was eating (imperfect) when Joan arrived (compound past).
The imperfect also gives the reason or the setting for an event: Fasiá fred, donc avèm barrat la pòrta. It was cold (setting), so we closed the door (event).
Two events, one after the other, both take the compound past: Joan es arribat e avèm manjat. In stories, the simple past often takes the place of the compound past. It has its own entry.
Examples (5)
- Manjavi quand Joan es arribat.
I was eating when Joan arrived.
Manjavi is the scene; es arribat is the event.
- Dormissiá quand as telefonat.
He was sleeping when you phoned.
Dormissiá is in progress; as telefonat interrupts it.
- Ploviá quand sèm partits.
It was raining when we left.
Ploviá gives the weather; sèm partits is the event.
- Fasiá fred, donc avèm barrat la pòrta.
It was cold, so we closed the door.
Fasiá gives the reason; avèm barrat is what happened.
- Èra tard e Marta es partida.
It was late and Marta left.
Èra sets the time; es partida is the event.
Common Mistakes
Using the compound past for the action in progress.
Ai manjat quand Joan es arribat.Manjavi quand Joan es arribat.This is correct Occitan, but two compound pasts make two finished events: I ate after Joan arrived. For I was eating when he arrived, the imperfect shows the action in progress.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Choosing between the compound past and the imperfect needs both, so the compound past and both uses of the imperfect come first.
- Compound Past With èsser
Know the compound past with aver and èsser, because it is the tense for the event: Manjavi quand Joan es arribat.
Level 3 - Imperfect for Habits
Know the imperfect for habits, because it is one thing the imperfect says: Cada estiu anàvem a la mar.
Level 3 - Imperfect for Description
Know the imperfect for description, because it sets the scene around the event: Fasiá fred, donc avèm barrat la pòrta.
Level 3
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Compound Past or Imperfect in Bubblegum
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