The imparfait (imperfect tense) describes:
  • Ongoing or repeated actions in the past (e.g., I used to or I was…)
  • Descriptions and background details in the past
  • Mental or physical states, and habits
It is formed by taking the nous form of the present tense, removing -ons, and adding imparfait endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient.

Je

  • Parlais — I was speaking / used to speak
  • Finissais — I was finishing / used to finish
  • Prenais — I was taking / used to take

Tu

  • Parlais — You were speaking / used to speak
  • Finissais — You were finishing / used to finish
  • Prenais — You were taking / used to take

Il/Elle/On

  • Parlais — He/She was speaking / used to speak
  • Finissait — He/She was finishing / used to finish
  • Prenait — He/She was taking / used to take

Nous

  • Parlions — We were speaking / used to speak
  • Finissions — We were finishing / used to finish
  • Prenions — We were taking / used to take

Vous

  • Parliez — You (pl.) were speaking / used to speak
  • Finissiez — You (pl.) were finishing / used to finish
  • Preniez — You (pl.) were taking / used to take

Ils/Elles

  • Parlaient — They were speaking / used to speak
  • Finissaient — They were finishing / used to finish
  • Prenaient — They were taking / used to take

Important Irregular Stem

VerbStemUsage
êtreét-All other verbs follow regular patterns, but être uses ét- (e.g., j'étais).

Usage

The imparfait is used for:
  • Describing background information or setting scenes (e.g., Il faisait froid. — It was cold.)
  • Expressing habitual or repeated actions in the past (e.g., Je lisais tous les jours. — I used to read every day.)
  • Indicating ongoing actions interrupted by another event (with passé composé) (e.g., Je lisais quand il est arrivé. — I was reading when he arrived.)
  • Talking about physical or mental states and descriptions (e.g., J'étais fatigué. — I was tired.)

When describing habitual actions in the past, which tense should you use in French?


Imparfait

The imparfait is the French tense used to express habitual or repeated actions in the past.

Examples

  • Quand j'étais enfant, je jouais dans le jardin.
When I was a child, I played in the garden. (habitual past action)
  • Il pleuvait et les rues étaient vides.
It was raining and the streets were empty. (background description)
  • Nous regardions la télévision quand le téléphone a sonné.
We were watching TV when the phone rang. (ongoing action interrupted)
  • Tu finissais toujours tes devoirs avant dîner.
You always finished your homework before dinner. (habitual action)

Summary

  • Stem = nous form of present minus -ons
  • Endings = -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient
  • Use for background, habit, ongoing past, and description
  • Être is irregular: stem ét-
The imparfait sets the scene for past narratives and expresses what was happening, used to happen, or what things were like.

Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025

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