When should you use the passé simple instead of the imparfait?

The "passé simple" is most often used in literary and formal writing express a completed past action. E.g. Un jour, elle tomba malade. (one day, she fell ill)

The "imparfait" on the other hand is used to describe continued or repeated actions in the past. It expresses what is going on at an indefinite time in the past. E.g. Chaque jour, Manon mangeait son déjeuner chez elle. (Every day, Manon would eat her lunch at home)

Answered by Annabel V. French tutor

2433 Views

See similar French GCSE tutors

Related French GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is the past tense of the verb to be?


Qu'est-ce que tu aimes faire dans tes moments libres?


How do you form the conditional tense and when do you use it?


What do I conjugate regular ER verbs?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences