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The Imparfait vs. the Passé Composé I


In French, when speaking in the past tense, one must constantly choose between the imparfait and the passé composé.

In this exercise we will focus on the formation and the use of the imparfait versus the passé composé.

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Grammatical Notes


Ex. #1 - Vocab.?

Quand j'étais enfant, je me de bonne heure.

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  • Ex. #2 - Vocab.?

    Hier soir, à huit heures, mon frère chez moi.

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  • Ex. #3 - Vocab.?

    Mon amie se marier avec un beau jeune homme.

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  • Ex. #4 - Vocab.?

    Chaque hiver, lorsque j'étais enfant, beaucoup.

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  • Ex. #5 - Vocab.?

    Dès que je elle vers moi.

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  • 2 valid answers. Can you find them all?

  • Ex. #6 - Vocab.?

    Félicitations! Vous l'examen.

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  • Ex. #7 - Vocab.?

    Ce matin, je à toute vitesse.

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  • Ex. #8 - Vocab.?

    Il me tous les jours, mais maintenant, c'est fini.

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  • Ex. #9 - Vocab.?

    Je voulais vous voir, mais je que vous occupé.

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  • 2 valid answers. Can you find them all?

  • Ex. #10 - Vocab.?

    Quand j'ai vu le danger, je en courant.

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  • 1 valid answers

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    Correct!


    Proper choice of tense for a description or customary action in the past.


    The imparfait is generally used for descriptions of circumstances, situation, background, mental and physical states, or for habitual or repeated actions.

    Back to Ex. 1

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper choice of tense for a description or customary action in the past.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 1

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper choice of tense for a description or customary action in the past.


    Try again.

    Explanations?


    Improper choice of auxilary with a reflexive verb.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 1

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper choice of tense for refering to a completed action in the past.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 2

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper choice of auxilary with an intransitive verb.


    In the passé composé, intransitive verbs (i.e. those that can not take a direct object) must be conjugated with être (eg: aller, venir, rester, etc...).

    Back to Ex. 2

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper choice of auxilary with an intransitive verb.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 2

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper choice of tense to describe a state of mind in the past.


    Be aware: the imparfait is most often used to describe states of mind ( penser, savoir, vouloir etc...) in the past, as these tend to last over time.

    Back to Ex. 3

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper choice of tense to describe a state of mind in the past.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 3

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper formation of the imparfait.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 3

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper choice of tense for a description or customary action in the past.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 4

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper choice of tense for a description or customary action in the past.


    Try again.

    Explanations?


    Improper choice of auxilary with an intransitive verb.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 4

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper choice of tense for a description or customary action in the past.


    The imparfait is generally used for descriptions of circumstances, situation, background, mental and physical states, or for habitual or repeated actions.

    Back to Ex. 4

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper choice of tense for refering to a completed action in the past.


    The passé composé is used for actions or series of actions in the past that are completed or sudden, with precise beginnings and ends.


    Proper choice of auxilary with a transitive verb.


    In the passé composé, transitive verbs (i.e. those that can take a direct object) must be conjugated with avoir (eg: donner, lire, manger, etc...)

    Back to Ex. 5

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper choice of tense for refering to a completed action in the past.


    Try again.

    Explanations?


    Improper choice of auxilary with a transitive verb.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 5

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper choice of tense for refering to a completed action in the past.


    Try again.

    Explanations?


    Improper choice of auxilary with a transitive verb.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 5

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper choice of tense for refering to a completed action in the past.


    The passé composé is used for actions or series of actions in the past that are completed or sudden, with precise beginnings and ends.


    Proper choice of auxilary with a transitive verb.


    In the passé composé, transitive verbs (i.e. those that can take a direct object) must be conjugated with avoir (eg: donner, lire, manger, etc...)

    Back to Ex. 5

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper choice of tense for refering to a completed action in the past.


    The passé composé is used for actions or series of actions in the past that are completed or sudden, with precise beginnings and ends.


    Proper choice of auxilary with a normally intransitive verb that is used transitively.


    Be aware: some intransitive verbs are sometimes used transitively. In these cases they are conjugated with avoir (eg: J'ai monté la valise.)

    Back to Ex. 6

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper choice of auxilary with a normally intransitive verb that is used transitively.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 6

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper choice of tense for refering to a completed action in the past.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 6

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper choice of tense for refering to a completed action in the past.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 7

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper choice of tense for refering to a completed action in the past.


    The passé composé is used for actions or series of actions in the past that are completed or sudden, with precise beginnings and ends.


    Proper choice of auxilary with a reflexive verb.


    Be aware: reflexive verbs are conjugated with être (eg: se laver, s'habiller etc...).

    Back to Ex. 7

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper choice of auxilary with a reflexive verb.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 7

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper choice of tense for a description or customary action in the past.


    The imparfait is generally used for descriptions of circumstances, situation, background, mental and physical states, or for habitual or repeated actions.

    Back to Ex. 8

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper choice of tense for a description or customary action in the past.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 8

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper formation of the imparfait.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 8

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper choice of tense to describe a state of mind in the past.


    Be aware: the imparfait is most often used to describe states of mind ( penser, savoir, vouloir etc...) in the past, as these tend to last over time.

    Back to Ex. 9

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper choice of tense to describe a state of mind in the past.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 9

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper choice of tense for a description or customary action in the past.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 9

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper choice of tense for a description or customary action in the past.


    The imparfait is generally used for descriptions of circumstances, situation, background, mental and physical states, or for habitual or repeated actions.

    Back to Ex. 9

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper choice of tense for refering to a completed action in the past.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 10

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper choice of tense for refering to a completed action in the past.


    The passé composé is used for actions or series of actions in the past that are completed or sudden, with precise beginnings and ends.

    Back to Ex. 10

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper choice of auxilary with an intransitive verb.


    Try again.

    Explanations?

    Back to Ex. 10

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Grammatical notes for the exercises in this page.


    In French, when speaking in the past tense, one must constantly choose between the imparfait and the passé composé.

    In this exercise we will focus on the formation and the use of the imparfait versus the passé composé.

    The items covered are:


    1)- The formation of the imparfait.


    The imparfait is formed on the root of the nous form of the present. The -ons is dropped and the endings of the imparfait are added (-ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient).

    Ex. 3 Ex. 8


    2)- The formation of the passé composé.


    The passé composé is composed of the auxilary être or avoir conjugated in the present followed by the present participle of the verb in question.


    3)- The choice of tense for a description or customary action in the past.


    The imparfait is generally used for descriptions of circumstances, situation, background, mental and physical states, or for habitual or repeated actions.

    Ex. 1 Ex. 4 Ex. 8 Ex. 9


    4)- The choice of tense to describe a state of mind in the past.


    Be aware: the imparfait is most often used to describe states of mind ( penser, savoir, vouloir etc...) in the past, as these tend to last over time.

    Ex. 3 Ex. 9


    5)- The choice of tense for refering to a completed action in the past.


    The passé composé is used for actions or series of actions in the past that are completed or sudden, with precise beginnings and ends.

    Ex. 2 Ex. 5 Ex. 6 Ex. 7 Ex. 10


    6)- The choice of auxilary with a transitive verb.


    In the passé composé, transitive verbs (i.e. those that can take a direct object) must be conjugated with avoir (eg: donner, lire, manger, etc...)

    Ex. 5


    7)- The choice of auxilary with an intransitive verb.


    In the passé composé, intransitive verbs (i.e. those that can not take a direct object) must be conjugated with être (eg: aller, venir, rester, etc...).

    Ex. 2 Ex. 4 Ex. 10


    8)- The choice of auxilary with a reflexive verb.


    Be aware: reflexive verbs are conjugated with être (eg: se laver, s'habiller etc...).

    Ex. 1 Ex. 7


    9)- The choice of auxilary with a normally intransitive verb that is used transitively.


    Be aware: some intransitive verbs are sometimes used transitively. In these cases they are conjugated with avoir (eg: J'ai monté la valise.)

    Ex. 6

    Back to Ex. 1

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    Vocabulary for Ex. #1 - Back to Exercise?


    Vocabulary for Ex. #2 - Back to Exercise?


    Vocabulary for Ex. #3 - Back to Exercise?


    Vocabulary for Ex. #4 - Back to Exercise?


    Vocabulary for Ex. #5 - Back to Exercise?


    Vocabulary for Ex. #6 - Back to Exercise?


    Vocabulary for Ex. #7 - Back to Exercise?


    Vocabulary for Ex. #8 - Back to Exercise?


    Vocabulary for Ex. #9 - Back to Exercise?


    Vocabulary for Ex. #10 - Back to Exercise?