Imparfait: When and How to Use It

In the previous lesson, you learned how to form the imparfait. Now it is time to explore when and why to use it. Understanding the imparfait's functions is essential because it is always contrasted with the passé composé.

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The Seven Key Uses of the Imparfait

1. Habitual or Repeated Past Actions

The imparfait describes actions that happened regularly in the past — things you "used to do":

• Quand j'étais au lycée, j'étudiais tous les soirs. — When I was in high school, I studied every evening.
• Ma grand-mère faisait toujours un gâteau le dimanche. — My grandmother always made a cake on Sundays.

2. Ongoing Background Actions

The imparfait describes what was happening when something else occurred:

• Je dormais quand tu as appelé. — I was sleeping when you called.
• Il pleuvait quand nous sommes arrivés. — It was raining when we arrived.