When would you use the <<imparfait>> and when would you use the <<Passé Composé>>?

Both of these tenses are used when speaking about an action in the past. The imparfait is appropriate when the action may still be being completed or was being done over a certain time period. For example "je jouais du piano quand j'étais jeune"means it was happening for a while. Also, this could imply that I still play the piano. However, if an action has been completed and it is attributed to a specific time frame such as "A dix-sept heures" then the Passé composé is appropriate. An auxilary verb and the past participle are therefore needed as the action is defininitely complete. e.g. " A dix-sept heures, j'ai fait la vaisselle".

Answered by Tamsin A. French tutor

1939 Views

See similar French GCSE tutors

Related French GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Why do some verbs use avoir and some être in the past tense?


What's the best way to prepare for the listening exam?


Peux-tu me donner du vocabulaire pour évoquer le thème du voyage et du tourisme?


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

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences