Answers>French>IB>Article

What's the difference between passé composé and l'imparfait?

Passé composé is mostly used to describe actions that had a definite end to them. For example, if you want to say that yesterday you ate breakfast, met a friend and saw a film you will use passé composé to describe these actions (j'ai mangé le petit déjeuner, j'ai rencontré un ami et j'ai regardé un film) because they all had a definite end to them.L'imparfait, on the other hand, is used to describe the scenery (e.g. Il pleuvait - It was raining), the time (e.g. Quand j'étais jeune - When I was young) or to describe a continuous or an ongoing action that is still happening now but began in the past (e.g. Quand je l'ai vu, il lisait un livre. - When I saw him he was reading a book (and probably is still reading it now).

JG
Answered by Jakub G. French tutor

1591 Views

See similar French IB tutors

Related French IB answers

All answers ▸

How do you know when to use the verb 'être' or 'avoir' in French?


How does one form the present subjunctive in French?


How do I write a good personal statement (Paper 2 Section B)


vous travaillez dans une entreprise où vous avez récemment travaillé des heures supplémentaires sans être payé, écrivez une lettre à votre patron.


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