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Comment puis je apprendre le francais?
il y a 7 answhat is the difference between passe compose and imparfait
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Commentaires (4)
Bonjour Dana, I have done a video explaining the difference between the two tenses, it should help you to understand :) here is the link https://fr.verbling.com/question/passe-compose-ou-imparfait
A lot of my students use the distinction between movie and picture, with a movie - succession of events we use the passe compose and with an image that is static we use the imparfait.
There are many more in depth explanations and exemples, but that's a good startig point.
The passé composé is used in French in answer the question 'What happened?' On the other hand, you will usually put a verb in the imparfait if it answers the question 'What was going on when something else happened?' Generally, the passé composé is used to relate events while the imparfait is used to describe what was going on in the past, states of being in the past, or past habits.
All this takes on special importance in narration of past actions, when both tenses often occur in the same story. Narrating a story entails both describing a setting (habitual actions, atmosphere, places and people) and recounting a plot or a series of events, actions, changes of feelings or thoughts. In general, all stories have a well delineated plot line of events, the foreground, and a background of supporting details and description. Some literary texts might subvert this rule but this is out of a conscious effort to surprise or unsettle their reader.
imparfait (set scene) --------------------------- passé composé (event)
Avant, Emma habitait à Paris ................. et puis un jour, elle a déménagé.
Before, Emma lived in Paris .................. and then, one day, she moved.
I hope this will help you to understand..A bientôt!
