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)

AV
Answered by Annabel V. French tutor

2652 Views

See similar French GCSE tutors

Related French GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How do you form the passé composée?


How do you form the perfect tense in French?


Which are the main verbs that take the past tense with Être?


How are 'etre' verbs conjugated differently in the passé composé?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning