How can I form the imperfect tense in French?

To form the imperfect tense, you take the 'nous' form of the verb in the present tense. Next, you take the -ons off the ending of the verb so that you are left with the stem. Then, you add the following endings: je - ais tu - ais il/elle/on - ait nous - ions vous - iez ils/elles - aient For example, if you had to form the 'je' form of 'regarder' in the imperfect tense, you work out the 'nous' form of the verb in the present tense, which is 'regardons'. Then take off the -ons, to make 'regard'. Next, you would add the imperfect ending for 'je' which is 'ais', to create 'regardais'. And that is how you form the imperfect tense. (I would then run through some examples to help the student practice, and to see if there are still any other issues)

Answered by Lydia M. French tutor

1563 Views

See similar French GCSE tutors

Related French GCSE answers

All answers ▸

When are the pronouns Y and EN used?


Translate the following sentence into French: Recently I went to the cinema with my friends, however I would like to go to the city.


How do I respond at length to such a simple question, e.g. <<Est-ce que vous avez des projets pour le week-end?>>?


I would like to study French at A Level, is a pass at GCSE good enough?


We're here to help

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