answersLogoWhite

0

What is the French 'imparfait'?

Updated: 8/17/2019
User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

Best Answer

The word 'imparfait' may be an adjective in French. As such, it may mean imperfect, as of an image; incomplete, as of a work; and partial, as of a cure. The word also may be used as a noun. As such, perhaps its most common use is the name of the verb tense that's the French equivalent of the English imperfect. The French imperfect tense may be expressed in the indicative mood [of reality] or the subjunctive mood [of wishes].

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is the French 'imparfait'?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

How do you say imperfect in french?

imparfait


How do you write i had in french?

"j'avais" (imparfait) or "j'ai eu" (passé composé)


How do you distinguish between imparfait and passé composé in French?

Imparfait only the verb;pase compose 2 parts avoir or etre & the verb not the infinitive form like I was lookING in Eng in french voir & vu


What is the 'imparfait' tense in French?

The 'imparfait' tense is a past tense in French used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past. It is formed by removing the -ons ending from the present tense nous form, and adding specific endings (-ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient). It is often used for setting the scene, describing background information, or expressing habitual actions.


How do you say it had in french?

There are numerous past tenses in French. "It had" will most likely be imperfect (imparfait), so it would be "il avait". If "it had" is preterite (passé composé), it would be "il a eu".


What actors and actresses appeared in Imparfait du subjectif - 2011?

The cast of Imparfait du subjectif - 2011 includes: Raoul Schlechter


Is Je suis né le 16 decembre 1991 passe compose or imparfait?

It's passé composé. Imparfait would be "Je naissais...".


What is Will cause in French?

The cause for saying you will do something is called the futur. It uses the same stem as the conditionnel with the imparfait endings: rais, rais, rait, rions, riez, and raient.


What does saviez mean?

'saviez' is a form of the verb 'savoir', meaning to know in French ; it is the second person plural at the past tense 'imparfait'. vous saviez: you knew (you plural or formal)


What is the difference between passe compose and imparfait?

The passé composé is used to express completed actions in the past, while the imparfait is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past. The passé composé is formed with a helping verb (avoir or être) and a past participle, while the imparfait is formed by adding specific endings to the root of the verb.


How do you know when to use Imparfait and when to use Pass Compos?

Imparfait will typically refer to an action that lasts in time or was repetitive (a habit). So you will often use it when you would use "was/were doing" and "used to do" in English. Passé composé, by contrast with imparfait, will refer to a "one-off" action - for that in English you would use preterit ("did").


When writing a story in French of the past how do you know when to use Imparfait or Passe Compose?

Use the imparfait tense to describe ongoing or habitual past actions, while the passé composé should be used for completed or specific past actions. In general, the imparfait sets the scene or background, and the passé composé indicates a specific event that occurred. Practice and familiarity with both tenses will help you choose the right one for your story.