How do I use the imperfect in French?

In French, the imperfect is used to describe a scene (il FAISAIT beau), to say that you did something regularly in the past (je MANGEAIS un burger toutes les semaines) or to describe a continuous action in the past (je COURAIS très vite).

It is formed by taking the nous form of the present, taking off the 'ons' and adding the endings (ais, ais, ait, ions, iez, aient). For example, if I want to say "you (plural) used to say", I would take the nous form of the present (nous disons), take off the ending and add iez. "Vous disiez". Et voilà!

SG
Answered by Sérina G. French tutor

3502 Views

See similar French GCSE tutors

Related French GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How can you remember vocabs?


I find grammar in French boring. What can I do to make revising grammar more interesting?


Is there an easier way of learning if a french noun is masculine or feminine?


Why do the endings to adjectives change?


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