L’Imparfait: circonstances d’un

événement

Le Passé Composé• The passé composé is used to

describe a well-defined action, completed at a specific point in time. ( The mention of time may be omitted. )

Le Passé Composé

Hier, Pauline a vu un accident.

• Yesterday Pauline saw an accident.

Le Passé Composé

• Elle a téléphoné à la police.

• She called the police.

Le Passé Composé

• Une ambulance est arrivée.

• An ambulance arrived.

L’Imparfait

• The imperfect is used to describe conditions and circumstances that form the background of another past action.

Time and Weather

• Il était deux heures ( It was two.

• La visibilité était mauvaise. ( The visibility was poor. )

• Il neigeait ( It was snowing. )

Appearance, Physical, Mental, or Emotional

Statement ….

• Le conducteur était un homme jeune. ( The driver was a young man. )

Emotional cont …

• Il portait un manteau gris. (He was wearing a gray coat.)

• Il n’était pas prudent. ( He wasn’t very careful. )

External Circumstances

• Il n’y avait pas d’autres passagers. ( There were no other passagers. )

• La voiture allait vite. ( The car was fast. )

Other actions in progress

• Pauline allait en ville. ( Pauline was going downtown. )

• Sa copine l’attendait. ( Her friend was waiting for her. )