The imperfect tense (AQA GCSE French): Revision Notes
The imperfect tense (L'imparfait)
What is the imperfect tense?
The imperfect tense is a French past tense that you use when talking about actions or states that were ongoing, habitual, or incomplete in the past. Unlike other past tenses, the imperfect focuses on the process or background of what was happening rather than completed actions.
The imperfect tense is often called "l'imparfait" in French, which literally means "the imperfect" or "the incomplete," reflecting its function of describing unfinished or ongoing past actions.
How to form the imperfect tense
Creating the imperfect tense follows a straightforward pattern for most French verbs. The formation process is remarkably consistent, making it one of the most regular tenses in French grammar.
Step-by-step formation
Formation Rule for the Imperfect Tense:
- Start with the present tense nous form of any verb
- Remove the -ons ending from this form
- Add the imperfect endings to what remains
This rule works for ALL verbs except être (to be).
The imperfect endings
Once you have your stem, add these endings for each person:
| Person | Ending | Example (habiter - to live) |
|---|---|---|
| je | -ais | j'habitais |
| tu | -ais | tu habitais |
| il/elle/on | -ait | il/elle/on habitait |
| nous | -ions | nous habitions |
| vous | -iez | vous habitiez |
| ils/elles | -aient | ils/elles habitaient |
The good news is that all regular verbs follow this same pattern, making the imperfect one of the most regular tenses in French!
The irregular verb être
The only verb that doesn't follow the standard formation rule is être (to be). Instead of using the nous stem, être uses ét- as its stem:
| Person | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| j'étais | I was | |
| tu étais | you were | |
| il/elle/on était | he/she/one was | |
| nous étions | we were | |
| vous étiez | you were | |
| ils/elles étaient | they were |
Remember the circumflex accent (^) in était and étaient - this is crucial for correct spelling!
When to use the imperfect tense
The imperfect tense has three main uses, each serving a different purpose when describing past events. Understanding these uses is essential for mastering French past tense narration.
1. Describing what was happening
Use the imperfect to paint a picture of ongoing conditions or actions in the past:
- Il faisait beau (The weather was nice)
- Elle portait une robe rouge (She was wearing a red dress)
2. Talking about repeated or habitual actions
When describing what someone used to do regularly in the past:
- Quand j'étais jeune, je jouais au football (When I was young, I used to play football)
- Nous allions à la plage chaque été (We used to go to the beach every summer)
3. Setting the scene for another action
Use the imperfect to describe what was happening when something else occurred (usually in the perfect tense):
- Je regardais la télévision quand mon ami est arrivé (I was watching TV when my friend arrived)
- Il pleuvait quand nous sommes partis (It was raining when we left)
Worked Example: Combining Tenses
Consider this sentence: "I was reading when my friend called."
Step 1: Identify the ongoing action (imperfect) "I was reading" = Je lisais
Step 2: Identify the completed action (passé composé)
"my friend called" = mon ami a téléphoné
Step 3: Combine with "when" Je lisais quand mon ami a téléphoné.
Key indicator words
Spotting the Imperfect: Key Signal Words
Look out for these words that often signal the use of the imperfect tense:
- "was/were" + verb + "-ing" in English
- "used to" + verb in English
- Time expressions like souvent (often), toujours (always), chaque jour (each day)
- autrefois (formerly), à cette époque (at that time)
Common verbs in the imperfect
Here are some frequently used verbs with their imperfect forms. Notice how they all follow the same formation pattern:
| Infinitive | Present (nous) | Imperfect (je) | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| vouloir | voulons | je voulais | I wanted |
| avoir | avons | j'avais | I had |
| aller | allons | j'allais | I was going |
| boire | buvons | je buvais | I was drinking |
| manger | mangeons | je mangeais | I was eating |
| acheter | achetons | j'achetais | I was buying |
| finir | finissons | je finissais | I was finishing |
| dormir | dormons | je dormais | I was sleeping |
Useful vocabulary
| French | English |
|---|---|
| l'imparfait | the imperfect tense |
| autrefois | in the past/formerly |
| souvent | often |
| toujours | always |
| chaque jour | each day |
| quand | when |
| pendant que | while |
| à cette époque | at that time |
Grammar and pronunciation tips
Understanding the pronunciation and spelling patterns will help you use the imperfect more confidently:
Pronunciation Tips:
- The endings -ais, -ais, and -aient all sound the same in French (like "eh")
- Remember that -ions and -iez are pronounced differently from their present tense counterparts
- The 'i' sound in -ions and -iez is more prominent in the imperfect
Common Spelling Mistakes to Avoid:
- Don't forget the circumflex accent in était and étaient
- Remember that -aient (they) has a silent 'ent' ending
- The imperfect is often used alongside the perfect tense (passé composé) to create a complete picture of past events
Translation practice
Practice is essential for mastering the imperfect tense. Try these translations and check your understanding:
Translation Practice: French to English
- Quand j'étais jeune, j'allais à la campagne
- Il regardait la télévision pendant que sa sœur faisait ses devoirs
Translation Practice: English to French
- We used to live in Paris
- She was reading when the phone rang
Answers
- When I was young, I used to go to the countryside
- He was watching television while his sister was doing her homework
- Nous habitions à Paris / Nous vivions à Paris
- Elle lisait quand le téléphone a sonné
Key Points to Remember:
- The imperfect describes ongoing, habitual, or background actions in the past
- Formation is simple: nous stem + imperfect endings (except être which uses ét-)
- Look for "was/were + -ing" or "used to" in English as clues to use the imperfect
- The imperfect often works alongside the perfect tense to tell complete stories about the past
- All verbs except être follow the same formation pattern, making it very regular!