The imperfect tense (Edexcel GCSE French): Revision Notes
The imperfect tense
The imperfect tense (l'imparfait) is a key past tense that you'll use frequently when describing events that happened in the past. It's particularly useful for setting scenes and describing ongoing actions.
How to form the imperfect tense
Formation Rule for the Imperfect Tense
The imperfect tense follows a straightforward pattern that works for nearly all French verbs. Here's the step-by-step process:
- Start with the nous form of the present tense
- Remove the -ons ending from this form
- Add the imperfect endings to create your new verb forms
The imperfect endings are consistent across all regular verbs:
Imperfect Tense Endings:
- je -ais
- tu -ais
- il/elle/on -ait
- nous -ions
- vous -iez
- ils/elles -aient
Example: habiter (to live)
Worked Example: Forming the Imperfect Tense with "habiter"
| Person | Present nous form | Remove -ons | Add imperfect ending | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | nous habitons | habit- | + ais | j'habitais |
| tu | nous habitons | habit- | + ais | tu habitais |
| il/elle/on | nous habitons | habit- | + ait | il/elle/on habitait |
| nous | nous habitons | habit- | + ions | nous habitions |
| vous | nous habitons | habit- | + iez | vous habitiez |
| ils/elles | nous habitons | habit- | + aient | ils/elles habitaient |
Good news! Almost all verbs follow this regular pattern in the imperfect tense, making it one of the most predictable tenses to learn.
When to use the imperfect tense
The imperfect tense has three main uses that you should master:
1. Describing what was happening
Use the imperfect to describe ongoing actions in the past. In English, this often translates as "was/were + -ing".
Example of Ongoing Action: Il pleuvait. (It was raining.)
2. Describing what used to happen
The imperfect describes repeated or habitual actions in the past, often translated as "used to" in English.
Example of Habitual Action: Quand j'étais jeune, je jouais au foot. (When I was young, I used to play football.)
3. Setting the scene for another action
Use the imperfect to describe what was happening when something else occurred (usually expressed in the perfect tense).
Example of Scene Setting: Je regardais la télévision lorsque mon ami est arrivé. (I was watching TV when my friend arrived.)
Key words to watch for: Look out for phrases like "was/were...ing" and "used to" in English, as these often indicate you need the imperfect tense in French.
Common verbs in the imperfect
Here are some frequently used verbs with their imperfect forms:
| Present | Imperfect | English |
|---|---|---|
| voulons | je voulais | I wanted |
| avons | j'avais | I had |
| allons | j'allais | I was going |
| buvons | je buvais | I was drinking |
| mangeons | je mangeais | I was eating |
| achetons | j'achetais | I was buying |
| finissons | je finissais | I was finishing |
| dormons | je dormais | I was sleeping |
Example sentences:
- Je voulais partir tôt. (I wanted to leave early.)
- Nous mangions toujours ensemble. (We always used to eat together.)
- Elle finissait ses devoirs avant le dîner. (She used to finish her homework before dinner.)
Être in the imperfect
Être - The Only Irregular Verb in the Imperfect
Être is the only irregular verb in the imperfect tense. Instead of using the usual formation method, être uses the stem ét- with the standard imperfect endings:
| Person | Imperfect form | 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 |
Example sentences with être:
- J'étais très fatigué hier soir. (I was very tired last night.)
- Nous étions contents de te voir. (We were happy to see you.)
- Elle était toujours en retard. (She was always late.)
Exam tip
Foundation Tier Exam Strategy
For Foundation tier, you primarily need to recognise and use the je, tu, and il/elle/on forms of the imperfect tense. Focus your revision on these three forms first.
Practice exercise
Translation Practice
Translate these sentences, explaining why the imperfect tense is used:
French to English:
- Quand j'étais petit, j'habitais à Londres.
- Il pleuvait quand nous sommes arrivés.
English to French: 3. I was eating when you called. 4. We used to go to France every summer.
Answers:
- When I was little, I used to live in London. (habitual action)
- It was raining when we arrived. (ongoing action interrupted by another event)
- Je mangeais quand tu as appelé. (ongoing action interrupted)
- Nous allions en France tous les étés. (habitual action)
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- The imperfect tense describes ongoing, repeated, or habitual actions in the past
- Formation: Take nous form of present tense, remove -ons, add imperfect endings (-ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient)
- Être is irregular - use the stem "ét-" instead of the usual formation method
- Look for key phrases like "was/were...ing" and "used to" to identify when to use the imperfect
- The imperfect often sets the scene for actions expressed in other past tenses