French conjugation explanation

Compound past vs. imperfect

<p>The <strong>compound past</strong> (

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/study/tenseGuideForTense/81/" target="_blank">pass&eacute; compos&eacute;</a>

) and the <strong>imperfect</strong> (

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/study/tenseGuideForTense/26/" target="_blank">imparfait</a>

) tenses are both used to describe actions in the past. However, their usage is quite different. Let's have a closer look at these two tenses. </p>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Passé composé</div>

<p>The <span style="font-style: italic;">passé composé</span> is used when referring to an action <strong>completed in the past</strong> (an action that had a definite beginning and a definite end). The action can be:</p>

<ul>

<li>

<div>a single event:</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Elle lui <span class="green_emphasis">a donné</span> sa veste. (<span style="font-style: italic;">She gave him his jacket.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div>part of a chain of events:</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Il <span class="green_emphasis">a déserté</span> sa famille et <span class="green_emphasis">est parti</span> à l'étranger. (<span style="font-style: italic;">He deserted his family and went abroad.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div>an action repeated a specific number of times:</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Je <span class="green_emphasis">me suis réveillé</span> trois fois dans la nuit. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I awoke three times in the night.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div>a past action with a specific time marker:</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Je lui <span class="green_emphasis">ai parlé</span> au téléphone hier soir. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I talked to him on the telephone yesterday night.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Nous <span class="green_emphasis">avons parlé</span> et <span class="green_emphasis">parlé</span> jusqu'au petit matin. (<span style="font-style: italic;">We talked and talked until the day broke.</span>)</div>

</li>

</ul>

<p>Expressions that are usually used with the <span style="font-style: italic;">passé composé</span>:</p>

<ul>

<li><span style="font-style: italic;">enfin</span> (finally)</li>

<li><span style="font-style: italic;">ensuite</span> (then, next)</li>

<li><span style="font-style: italic;">hier</span> (yesterday)</li>

<li><span style="font-style: italic;">l’année dernière</span> (last year)</li>

<li><span style="font-style: italic;">plusieurs fois</span> (several times)</li>

<li><span style="font-style: italic;">puis</span> (then, afterwards)</li>

<li><span style="font-style: italic;">soudain</span> (suddenly)</li>

</ul>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Imparfait</div>

<p>Using the <span style="font-style: italic;">imparfait</span> tense implies that the past action <strong>did not have a definite beginning or a definite end</strong>. It can be used to describe:</p>

<ul>

<li>

<div>a habitual or repeated action:</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Parfois, il <span class="green_emphasis">agissait</span> comme s'il était mon patron. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Sometimes he acted as if he were my boss.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div>two simultaneous actions:</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Nous <span class="green_emphasis">lisions</span> un livre pendant que nous <span class="green_emphasis">mangions</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">We were reading a book while eating.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div>a background action that sets the stage for other actions:</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Une femme nous a rendu visite pendant que tu <span class="green_emphasis">dormais</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">A woman visited us while you were sleeping.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div>a condition or state:</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">J'ai supposé que vous <span class="green_emphasis">étiez</span> heureux. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I assumed that you were happy.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div>someone or something:</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Les boissons <span class="green_emphasis">étaient</span> gratuites. (<span style="font-style: italic;">The drinks were free.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div>time and age:</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Il <span class="green_emphasis">était</span> 2 heures de l'après-midi. (<span style="font-style: italic;">It was 2 o'clock in the afternoon.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Quand j'<span class="green_emphasis">avais</span> 18 ans, je buvais. (<span style="font-style: italic;">When I was 18 I drank.</span>)</div>

</li>

</ul>

<p>Expressions that are usually used with the imperfect:</p>

<ul>

<li><span style="font-style: italic;">chaque fois</span> (every time)</li>

<li><span style="font-style: italic;">de temps en temps</span> (from time to time)</li>

<li><span style="font-style: italic;">d’habitude</span> (usually)</li>

<li><span style="font-style: italic;">parfois</span> (sometimes)</li>

<li><span style="font-style: italic;">rarement</span> (rarely)</li>

<li><span style="font-style: italic;">souvent</span> (often)</li>

<li><span style="font-style: italic;">tous les jours</span> (every day)</li>

</ul>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Forming the passé composé</div>

<p>The <span style="font-style: italic;">passé composé</span> is formed by combining the auxiliary verb (

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/avoir/" title="Click to see conjugations for avoir" target="_blank">avoir</a>

or

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/%C3%AAtre/" title="Click to see conjugations for être" target="_blank">être</a>

conjugated in the

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/study/tenseGuideForTense/25/" target="_blank">present</a>

) and the past participle of the verb (e.g.

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/donner/" title="Click to see conjugations for donner" target="_blank">donner</a>

&#8594; <span style="font-style: italic;">donné</span>, see details further below).</p>

<p>Most French verbs use

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/avoir/" title="Click to see conjugations for avoir" target="_blank">avoir</a>

as an auxiliary verb. The verbs that use

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/%C3%AAtre/" title="Click to see conjugations for être" target="_blank">être</a>

are intransitive (=<strong>not taking a direct object</strong>) verbs that usually indicate <strong>motion or change of state</strong>. <strong>Reflexive verbs</strong> also require

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/%C3%AAtre/" title="Click to see conjugations for être" target="_blank">être</a>

. To learn more about&nbsp;how to choose the correct auxiliary verb, study the following explanations:</p>

<ul>

<li>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/conjugationExplanation/french_wrong_auxiliary_verb/" target="_blank">Auxiliary verbs</a>

</li>

<li>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/conjugationExplanation/french_wrong_auxiliary_verb_for_reflexive/" target="_blank">Auxiliary verb for reflexive verbs</a>

</li>

<li>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/conjugationExplanation/french_wrong_variable_auxiliary_verb/" target="_blank">Variable auxiliary verbs</a>

</li>

</ul>

<p>When the auxiliary verb is

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/%C3%AAtre/" title="Click to see conjugations for être" target="_blank">être</a>

, the past participle has to agree in gender and number with the subject (<span style="font-style: italic;">-e-</span> is added to agree with a feminine subject, and <span style="font-style: italic;">-s-</span> with the plural). When the auxiliary verb is

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/avoir/" title="Click to see conjugations for avoir" target="_blank">avoir</a>

, the agreement is usually not necessary, but there are a few exceptions. To learn more about the agreement of the past participle, study the following explanations:</p>

<ul>

<li>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/conjugationExplanation/missing_agreement_for_etre_form/" target="_blank">Agreement with être</a>

</li>

<li>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/conjugationExplanation/avoir_no_agreement/" target="_blank">Agreement with avoir</a>

</li>

<li>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/conjugationExplanation/french_preceding_direct_object_agreement/" target="_blank">Agreement with a preceding direct object</a>

</li>

<li>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/conjugationExplanation/changing_direct_object/" target="_blank">Indirect object agreement</a>

</li>

<li>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/conjugationExplanation/causative_agreement/" target="_blank">Causative agreement</a>

</li>

</ul>

<p>Regular past participles are formed as follows:</p>

<ul>

<li><strong>-ER verbs:</strong>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/donner/" title="Click to see conjugations for donner" target="_blank">donner</a>

&#8594; donn<strong>é</strong> </li>

<li><strong>-IR verbs:</strong>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/finir/" title="Click to see conjugations for finir" target="_blank">finir</a>

&#8594; fin<strong>i</strong> </li>

<li><strong>-RE verbs:</strong>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/attendre/" title="Click to see conjugations for attendre" target="_blank">attendre</a>

&#8594; attend<strong>u</strong> </li>

</ul>

<p>There are many verbs with irregular past participle, as well. For example:</p>

<ul>

<li>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/%C3%AAtre/" title="Click to see conjugations for être" target="_blank">être</a>

&#8594; été</li>

<li>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/avoir/" title="Click to see conjugations for avoir" target="_blank">avoir</a>

&#8594; eu</li>

<li>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/faire/" title="Click to see conjugations for faire" target="_blank">faire</a>

&#8594; fait</li>

<li>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/venir/" title="Click to see conjugations for venir" target="_blank">venir</a>

&#8594; venu</li>

<li>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/mettre/" title="Click to see conjugations for mettre" target="_blank">mettre</a>

&#8594; mis</li>

<li>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/prendre/" title="Click to see conjugations for prendre" target="_blank">prendre</a>

&#8594; pris</li>

</ul>

<p>For a complete list of past participles, check out our

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/study/tenseGuideForTense/34/" target="_blank">past participle guide</a>

.</p>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Imparfait conjugations</div>

<p>Regular conjugation in the <span style="font-style: italic;">imparfait</span> tense for <strong><span style="font-style: italic; white-space: nowrap;">-er</span> verbs</strong> using the verb

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/donner/" title="Click to see conjugations for donner" target="_blank">donner</a>

(to give):</p>

<div class="study_conjugations_tense_container">

<a class="study_conjugations_tense_label box_label tense_box no_dark_mode " href="/study/tenseGuideForTense/26/" target="_blank" title="Open tense guide">Imparfait</a>

<div class="study_conjugations_conjugation conjugations_table two_columns">

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

je

</span>donnais

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

tu

</span>donnais

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

il

</span>donnait

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

nous

</span>donnions

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

vous

</span>donniez

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

ils

</span>donnaient

</span>

</div>

</div>

</div>

</div>

<p>Regular conjugation in the <span style="font-style: italic;">imparfait</span> tense for <strong><span style="font-style: italic; white-space: nowrap;">-ir</span> verbs</strong> using the verb

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/finir/" title="Click to see conjugations for finir" target="_blank">finir</a>

(to finish):</p>

<div class="study_conjugations_tense_container">

<a class="study_conjugations_tense_label box_label tense_box no_dark_mode " href="/study/tenseGuideForTense/26/" target="_blank" title="Open tense guide">Imparfait</a>

<div class="study_conjugations_conjugation conjugations_table two_columns">

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

je

</span>finissais

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

tu

</span>finissais

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

il

</span>finissait

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

nous

</span>finissions

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

vous

</span>finissiez

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

ils

</span>finissaient

</span>

</div>

</div>

</div>

</div>

<p>Regular conjugation in the <span style="font-style: italic;">imparfait</span> tense for <strong><span style="font-style: italic; white-space: nowrap;">-re</span> verbs</strong> using the verb

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/fra/attendre/" title="Click to see conjugations for attendre" target="_blank">attendre</a>

(to wait):</p>

<div class="study_conjugations_tense_container">

<a class="study_conjugations_tense_label box_label tense_box no_dark_mode " href="/study/tenseGuideForTense/26/" target="_blank" title="Open tense guide">Imparfait</a>

<div class="study_conjugations_conjugation conjugations_table two_columns">

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun"><span>j'</span></span>attendais

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

tu

</span>attendais

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

il

</span>attendait

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

nous

</span>attendions

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

vous

</span>attendiez

</span>

</div>

</div>

<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">

<div class="conjugation_form">

<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">

ils

</span>attendaient

</span>

</div>

</div>

</div>

</div>

<p>For all imperfect conjugations, check out our

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/study/tenseGuideForTense/26/" target="_blank">tense guide</a>

.</p>