French for Dolphins

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