When should I use the imperfect tense, and when the perfect tense?

The imperfect is used for:

- description in the past (eg the door was red - la porte était rouge)

- things that you used to do many times in the past (eg I used to go swimming - je nageais)

- interrupted actions (eg I was eating when the phone rang - je mangeais quand le téléphone a sonné

The perfect tense is used for everything else! Single, punctual actions.

SW
Answered by Sally W. French tutor

2862 Views

See similar French GCSE tutors

Related French GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How do I form the perfect tense?


How do I conjugate a pronominal verb in the present tense?


When should I use the passé composé, and when I use the imperfect tense?


When is it appropriate to use the verb "savoir" versus "connaitre"?


We're here to help

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

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences