What's the difference between imparfait and passe compose?
This is essentially the difference between an action, not completed as far as you know and description and an action completed.
Get a feeling for ~~~~ (l'imparfait) and //// (passé composé) The English is also different.
l'imparfait (étudiais) = I was studying, I used to study and I studied (3 meanings)
le passé composé = j'ai étudié = I did study, I have studied and I studied.
Note that the 3rd meaning in each case "crosses over" so you need to determine whether it WAS going on or DID go on.
Sra (aka Mme)
The imparfait and passé composé are both verb tenses used in the French language, but they are used to describe different types of actions or events in the past.
The imparfait is used to describe ongoing or habitual actions in the past. To form the imparfait, you take the present tense nous form of the verb, remove the -ons ending, and add the imparfait endings (-ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient). For example, the verb "parler" (to speak) would become "parlais" (I was speaking).
On the other hand, the passé composé is used to describe completed actions or events in the past. To form the passé composé, you generally use the auxiliary verb "avoir" or "être" (to have or to be) followed by the past participle of the main verb. The choice between "avoir" and "être" depends on the verb and can be memorized or determined by certain rules. For example, the verb "parler" in the passé composé would be "j'ai parlé" (I spoke).
To decide whether to use the imparfait or passé composé, you need to consider the nature and completion of the action. The imparfait is used for describing ongoing actions or events without a specific endpoint, long-term habits, or background information. On the other hand, the passé composé is used for actions or events that have a specific endpoint and are seen as completed.
It is important to note that the choice between imparfait and passé composé will also depend on the context and narrative structure of the sentence or text. Reading extensively, practicing with examples, and understanding the nuances of each tense will help you gain confidence in using them correctly.