How to Conjugate "Aller" in the Imperfect Tense

The imperfect tense in French is used to describe ongoing or habitual actions in the past. Conjugating the irregular verb "aller" (to go) in this tense can be tricky for learners. Let's break it down step-by-step.

Imperfect Conjugation of "Aller"

Here's how to conjugate "aller" in the imperfect tense:

• Je allais (I was going)
• Tu allais (You were going)
• Il/Elle/On allait (He/She/One was going)
• Nous allions (We were going)
• Vous alliez (You were going)
• Ils/Elles allaient (They were going)

Usage Examples

To help you understand when and how to use "aller" in the imperfect tense, consider these examples:

1. "Quand j'étais enfant, j'allais souvent au parc." (When I was a child, I often went to the park.)
2. "Nous allions à la plage tous les étés." (We used to go to the beach every summer.)
3. "Ils allaient au cinéma chaque samedi." (They would go to the cinema every Saturday.)

When to Use the Imperfect with "Aller"

Use the imperfect form of "aller" when describing:

• Habitual actions in the past
• Ongoing situations in the past
• Background information in a story

Remember, the imperfect tense of "aller" is often used in conjunction with the passé composé to contrast background information with specific events.

By mastering the imperfect conjugation of "aller," you'll be able to express past habits and ongoing actions more accurately in French.