When talking about past actions, when do I use imparfait, and when do I use passé composé?
There are multiple differences between the uses of imparfait and passé composé, perhaps the most important being that passé compose is used for singular events, whereas imparfait is used for past actions happening over time or past habits.
E.g. Hier, j'ai cuisiné une pizza (Yesterday, I cooked a pizza) versus Avant, je travaillais dans un restaurant italien (Before, I worked in an Italian restaurant)
Another difference is that imparfait is used for describing background, and passé composé is used for the action.
E.g. Je regardais la pluie à travers la fenêtre quand le téléphone a sonné (I was looking at the rain through the window when the telephone rang)
EB
Related French IB answers
All answers ▸What was the question? 'J'ai dix ans'
How do you form the superlative in French?
Describe a holiday you've recently been on, making sure to answer the following: where did you go and who did you go with? how long did you stay there and what did you do? did you like your visit and if not, where would you next go?
« L’anglais est la langue dans laquelle j’exprime le mieux la subtilité. Mais je dois dire que le français est la langue la plus proche de mon cœur ». Quelles distinctions pouvez-vous établir entre une langue maternelle et une langue seconde ?