Notes le 3 février Les emplois de l’imparfait (Uses of the imperfect) The imperfect is used to describe habitual, repetitive or continuous actions in the past: Quand j’étais jeune, ma famille et moi, nous habitions près d’un parc. J’allais tous les jours au parc où je jouais avec mes copains du quartier. When I was young, my family and I lived near a park. I would go to the park everyday where I would play with my friends from the neighborhood.

You also use the imperfect to describe people, things, places, situations, as well as physical and emotional states in the past. Here are some common examples: Location: J’habitais au Canada. (I used to live in Canada.)

Age:La fille avait cinq ans. (The girl was five years old.)

Appearance:Il avait les yeux bleus et les cheveux blonds. (He had blue eyes and blond hair.)

Physical condition: Mon grand-père était en mauvaise santé. (My grandfather was in poor health.)

Attitudes, emotions and desires: Je voulais être médecin. (I wanted to be a doctor.)

Time: Quelle heure était-il? Il était cinq heures. (What time was it ? - It was five o’clock.)

Weather: Il faisait beaucoup de vent ce matin. (It was really windy this morning.)

Verbs that describe mental or emotional states are often used in the imperfect. Here are some common examples: aimer: Elle aimait le faire. (She liked to do it.) vouloir: Elle voulait le faire. (She wanted to do it.) pouvoir: Elle pouvait le faire. (She was able to do it.) savoir: Elle savait le faire. (She knew how to do it.) croire: Elle croyait en Dieu. (She believed in God.)