Imparfait: description and habit
c'était, je parlais
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c'était, je parlais
For most verbs, remove -ons from the present nous form and add -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient. Être uses the irregular stem ét-. Use the imperfect for background and past habits.
Examples in context
Read the examples and compare their English meanings.
Background Description
Sets the scene in the past.
Il faisait beau et les oiseaux chantaient.
The weather was nice and the birds were singing.
Past Habits
Describes repeated actions in the past.
Quand j'étais jeune, je jouais au tennis.
When I was young, I used to play tennis.
Common mix-ups
The imperfect ending with je is -ais; -aient belongs to ils and elles.
When I was young, I used to play tennis.
Try a reply
Say or write your answer in French before opening the example.
As a child, I used to sing every morning.
Show one possible answer
Quand j'étais enfant, je chantais chaque matin.
Other wording can work too. Compare the verb form, agreement, and word order with the lesson. Then try a sentence about your own day.
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