When to Use Passé Composé vs Imparfait in French?

Understanding when to use passé composé versus imparfait is crucial for expressing past actions in French. These two tenses serve different purposes and can significantly change the meaning of your sentences.

Passé Composé: Completed Actions

The passé composé is used for:

• Specific, completed actions in the past
• Actions with a clear beginning and end
• A series of actions that happened one after another

Examples:

• J'ai mangé une pomme. (I ate an apple.)
• Nous avons visité Paris l'année dernière. (We visited Paris last year.)

Imparfait: Ongoing or Habitual Actions

The imparfait is used for:

• Describing ongoing situations in the past
• Habitual actions in the past
• Setting the scene or providing background information

Examples:

• Il pleuvait quand je suis sorti. (It was raining when I went out.)
• Quand j'étais enfant, je jouais souvent au football. (When I was a child, I often played soccer.)

Choosing Between the Two

To decide which tense to use, ask yourself:

1. Is the action completed or ongoing?
2. Are you describing a specific event or a general situation?

Practice Sentences

Try these sentences to test your understanding:

1. Hier, je _____ (lire) un livre quand mon ami _____ (appeler). (Yesterday, I was reading a book when my friend called.)
2. Pendant mes vacances, je _____ (aller) à la plage tous les jours. (During my vacation, I went to the beach every day.)

Remember, mastering these tenses takes practice. Try to identify their usage in French texts and conversations to reinforce your understanding.