What is the difference between the present perfect and the imperfect?

Present Perfect

  • Finished past action: Il a cuisiné.

  • An action which lasted a certain amount of time: Elle a étudié au lycée pendant trois ans.

  • An action which has been repeated several times: Il a sonné quatre fois.

  • A series of actions: Il a pris la glace, il a payé le vendeur et il est parti. 

Imperfect

  • Non finished past action: Elle cuisinait.

  • An action which is a habit: Il se promenait tous les jours.

  • A description set in the past: Le soleil brillait.

  • Expresses a state: Elle était petite.

  • Two simultaneous actions set in the past: Quand je courais, il sautait.

EM
Answered by Esther M. French tutor

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