PrepMyFrench
PrepMyFrench
También conocido como: French past tense difference · imparfait ou passé composé · background vs event
Imparfait vs passé composé is the central French past-tense contrast. Use imparfait for background, description, habit, or ongoing action. Use passé composé for completed, specific events. In narrative French, imparfait sets the scene and passé composé advances the action.
A useful test is whether the action is a frame or an event. Je dormais describes the ongoing state; le téléphone a sonné marks the event that interrupts it.
This contrast is one of the highest-impact grammar choices in TEF/TCF writing because it affects clarity, chronology, and perceived control of French narration.
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