What Are the Differences Between the French ‘Imparfait’ and ‘Passé Composé’?

French past tenses can be confusing. Imparfait and passé composé both describe past events, but they are used differently. Let’s explore how to use each tense correctly.

1. The Basics of French Past Tenses

Understanding these tenses is key.

Imparfait: Describes ongoing or habitual actions in the past, and provides background information.
Passé Composé: Used for completed actions and specific events.

2. When to Use the Imparfait

Describing Ongoing Actions

Use imparfait for actions that were ongoing:

Quand j’étais jeune, je jouais dans le parc tous les jours.
(When I was young, I used to play in the park every day.)

Habitual Actions

Use it for repeated actions:

Nous allions toujours chez nos grands-parents le dimanche.
(We always went to our grandparents’ house on Sundays.)

Background Information

Use imparfait to set the scene:

Il faisait beau et les oiseaux chantaient.
(The weather was nice, and the birds were singing.)

3. When to Use the Passé Composé

Completed Actions

Use passé composé for actions that are finished:

Hier, j’ai mangé une pizza.
(Yesterday, I ate a pizza.)

Specific Events

Use it for events at a specific time:

L’année dernière, j’ai voyagé en France.
(Last year, I traveled to France.)

Series of Actions

Use passé composé for a sequence of actions:

Il est arrivé, a pris son sac, et est parti.
(He arrived, took his bag, and left.)

4. Combining French Imparfait and Passé Composé in Narratives

You often use both tenses in stories. Imparfait sets the scene, while passé composé describes specific actions:

Il pleuvait quand elle est entrée dans la salle. Elle a ouvert son livre et a commencé à lire.
(It was raining when she entered the room. She opened her book and started reading.)