Imperfect Tense Notes

Unité 4: L’enfance (Childhood) - L’imparfait (The Imperfect Tense)

Introduction

  • The imperfect tense is used to describe what we used to do in the past.
  • Up until now, the present tense was used to talk about what you do or are doing.
  • The imperfect tense describes actions that:
    • We used to do.
    • Were ongoing.
    • Were of an unspecified duration.
  • Example: Je jouais au basket quand j'étais petite. (I used to play basketball when I was little.)

Forming the Imparfait

  1. Conjugate in Present Tense "Nous" Form:

    • Take the verb and conjugate it in the PRESENT TENSE "Nous" form.
    • Example: jouer (to play) → Nous jouons (We play)

  2. Drop the -ons:

    • Remove the "-ons" ending to create the stem.
    • Stem = "jou"

  3. Add Imperfect Ending:

    • Add the appropriate ending onto the stem based on the subject pronoun.
    • Example: To say "I used to play," add -ais to the stem "jou" for "Je" (I).
    • Je jouais

Imparfait Verb Endings

  • Je: -ais
  • Tu: -ais
  • Il: -ait
  • Nous: -ions
  • Vous: -iez
  • Ils: -aient

Irregular Verb: Etre

  • The only verb that is irregular is Etre (to be).
  • The stem for Etre will always be "-ét".
  • Example: "Quand j'étais jeune…" (When I was young…)"