The Imperfect Tense

•   the imperfect tense is a past tense

•   it doesn't use auxiliaries

•   it is used to describe something that was or used to happen

 

So how to you form the imperfect tense?

 

1. you must find the stem of the verb you are using. To find this go to the nous form of the verb in the present tense and take of the ending, usually "ons". Remember you must be in the nous form of the verb in the present tense.

2. now add your endings

◦                   je ais

◦                   tu ais

◦                   il ait

◦                   elle ait

◦                   on ait

◦                   nous ions

◦                   vous iez

◦                   ils aient

◦                   elles aient

N.B.- weather is talked about in the imperfect tense

 

eg: I used to play tennis

      je jouais au tennis

 

      When I was little I often watched Teletubbies

      Quand j'étais petite je regardais les Teletubbies

In my free time= dans mon temps libre  

As a hobby= comme loisirs

 

My passion is dance= ma passion, c’est la danse

 My passion was dance= ma passion c’était la danse

I love doing drama= j’adore faire du  théâtre

I loved doing drama= j’aimais faire du  théâtre

Im a member of a tennis club= je suis membre d’un club de tennis

I was a member of the tennis club= j'etais membre d’un club de tennis

I train once a week to stay fit= je m’entraine une fois par semaine

I used to train once a week to stay fit=  m’entrainais une fois par semaine

 

Im intrested in sport because it gives me pleasure=  je m’intéresse au sport parce que ça me fait plaisir

I used to be interested in sport = =  je m’intéressais au sport

 

Sometimes i go out with friends= quelquefois je sors avec mes amies          I used to sometimes go out with friends = quelquefois je sortais avec mes amies