When do you use the compound past or the imperfect tense in French?

The compound past is used for actions that are completed and have no further relevance at present. For example, "J’ai fini mes devoirs."  

On the other hand, the imperfect tense is used for ongoing actions in the past without an ending, or something that you used to do regularly. For example, "Je faisais mes devoirs."

LB
Answered by Louise B. French tutor

2058 Views

See similar French GCSE tutors

Related French GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What tips do you have for the writing portion of the exam?


When should I use the subjonctif?


How do I know what gender a particular language is in French?


How do I form the perfect tense in French?


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning