Foreign Languages
Imparfait basics.
Definition
The imparfait (imperfect tense) in French describes ongoing, habitual, or background actions in the past. It is formed by taking the 'nous' form of the present tense, dropping '-ons,' and adding imparfait endings. The only exception is 'être,' which uses the stem 'ét-.'
How it works · 4 phases
Step by step.
- Conjugate the verb in the present tense 'nous' form (e.g., nous parlons).
- Remove the '-ons' ending to get the stem (parl-).
- Add the imparfait endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient.
- For 'être,' use the irregular stem 'ét-' and add the same endings.
Examples
Real-world.
- 1 'Quand j'étais petit, je jouais dehors' — When I was little, I used to play outside
- 2 'Il faisait beau' — The weather was nice (background description)
- 3 'Nous mangions toujours à midi' — We always used to eat at noon
Key Fact
Endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient. Only irregular stem: être → ét-