L’emploi de l’imparfait et du passé composé Dossier 1

L’imparfait / Le passé composé As they express a mental or physical state of being, some verbs to be used more often in the imparfait than in the passé composé. When the verbs are used in the passé composé, they may take on a different meaning : Used to and would (meaning habitually) are translated into French by the imparfait. L’imparfait / Le passé composé Emploi 1. Il semblait déprimé. – He looked depressed. Tout à coup, il a semblé triste. - Suddently he seemed sad. 2. Autrefois, elle faisait partie de la chorale. In the past, she used to belong to the choir. 1. description action ponctuelle (point action) 2. action répétitive qui exprime une habitude

Some expressions of time or repetition may an indication of the imparfait : souvent – often fréquemment – frequently toujours – always chaque jour – every day d’habitude – usually régulièrement – regalurly autrefois – formerly

The imparfait is also used to describe a continuous action that was going on in the past when another action (expressed in the passé composé) interrupted it. Elle regardait la télévision quand soudain, elle a entendu un grand bruit. She was watching television when suddenly she heard a loud noise. Il faisait ses devoirs quand son frère est arrivé. He was doing his homework when his brother arrived.