L'Imparfait

Question 1

What does the imperfect tense look like in English? (2 examples)

Answer 1

1. They USED TO run everyday

2. When I lived in Australia, it WAS sunny everyday

Question 2

When is the imperfect tense used? (4)

3+4 are basically the same

Answer 2

1. Past description
   - When I was twenty
2. Interrupted action in the past
   - I was putting on my makeup when she called
3. Repeated action in the past
   - I had to chop wood every night
4. Past habit
   - I used to do gymnastics

Question 3

What are the imperfect tense endings for -er verbs?

Demonstrate using verb ‘aider’

Answer 3

1. J’aid -ais
2. Tu aid -ais
3. Elle/il/on aid -ait
4. Nous aid -ions
5. Vous aid -iez
6. Elles/ils aid -aient

Question 4

What are the imperfect tense endings for -ir verbs?

Demonstrate using verb ‘finir’

Answer 4

1. Je fini -ssais
2. Tu fini -ssais
3. Elle/il/on fini -ssait
4. Nous fini -ssions
5. Vous fini -ssiez
6. Elles/ils fini -ssaient

Question 5

What are the imperfect tense endings for -re verbs?

Demonstrate using verb ‘vendre’

Answer 5

1. Je vend -ais
2. Tu vend -ais
3. Elle/il/on vend -ait
4. Nous vend -ions
5. Vous vend -iez
6. Elles/ils vend -aient