How to Use the Imparfait in French
The imparfait is a crucial French past tense that often challenges learners. This guide will help you understand its usage and formation.
When to Use the Imparfait
The imparfait is used to describe:
- Habitual actions in the past
- Ongoing situations without a clear endpoint
- Background information in a story
- Physical and emotional states in the past
Formation of the Imparfait
To form the imparfait:
- Take the "nous" form of the present tense
- Remove the -ons ending
- Add the appropriate imparfait endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient
Examples of Imparfait Usage
Habitual Actions
"Quand j'étais enfant, je jouais au football tous les samedis." (When I was a child, I used to play football every Saturday.)
Ongoing Situations
"Il pleuvait quand je suis sorti de la maison." (It was raining when I left the house.)
Background Information
"La ville était calme. Les rues étaient désertes." (The city was quiet. The streets were deserted.)
Physical and Emotional States
"Elle avait froid et se sentait fatiguée." (She was cold and felt tired.)
Common Irregular Verbs in Imparfait
Some verbs have irregular stems in the imparfait:
- être → ét-
- avoir → av-
- faire → fais-
Practice Exercise
Try conjugating these verbs in the imparfait:
- parler (je)
- finir (nous)
- aller (ils)
Answers: 1. je parlais, 2. nous finissions, 3. ils allaient
Understanding the imparfait is key to expressing yourself accurately in French. With practice, you'll become more comfortable using this essential tense.