How do you know when to use passé simple and when to use passé composé?

Passé composé is a form of past which used to express a past action which affects the present moment. Passé simple is a form of past tense which describes an action which is SIMPLY past, meaning that this action does not affect the present as much.For instance:Je mangeai une pomme avant de partir de chez moi.Je n'ai plus faim car j'ai mangé une pomme.In the first sentence, I am simply describing actions in the past, and explaining that I had an apple before leaving my place. All the actions are in the past and there is no relation with the present when using the verb "to eat".In the second sentence, as I am mentioning that I am not hungry anymore, and this because I had an apple, it implies I just had the apple and the act of "eating" it made me not hungry anymore, so therefore has a relation with the present. So I used passé composé.

JL
Answered by Jeanne L. French tutor

3715 Views

See similar French A Level tutors

Related French A Level answers

All answers ▸

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the word: Je veux apprendre la grammaire afin que je ........... réussir mes examens. (pouvoir)


When should there be verb agreement?


When do I need to use the subjunctive?


How to make the difference between gender (Feminine/Masculine)?


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