The Imparfait: Describing the Past
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Lesson overview
Forming and using the imparfait to describe ongoing or habitual past situations.
Go to lesson quiz →Exam guidance · JAMB UTME Speed Lens
Pacing
~40 seconds per MCQ (180 questions in 120 minutes, no negative marking).
How JAMB marks this
Fast dimensional/sign elimination and standard formula shortcuts — skip multi-line algebra when substitution tests options faster.
Watch out for
UTME distractors routinely include the intermediate value (e.g., forgetting to convert cm³ to dm³ or °C to Kelvin).
Lesson content
Introduction to the Imparfait
The imparfait is a French past tense used to describe ongoing or habitual actions in the past. It provides context and sets the scene for events that were happening over a period of time, as opposed to actions that are completed.
What is the Imparfait?
The imparfait is a tense that expresses actions or situations that were ongoing or repeated in the past. It is often used to describe background information, physical and emotional states, and habitual actions.
Forming the Imparfait
To form the imparfait, take the 'nous' form of the present tense, remove the -ons ending, and add the imparfait endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient. For example, for the verb 'parler' (to speak), the nous form is 'nous parlons', so the imparfait is: je parlais, tu parlais, il/elle parlait, nous parlions, vous parliez, ils/elles parlaient.
Using the Imparfait in Context
Example: 'Quand j'étais enfant, je jouais au parc tous les jours.' (When I was a child, I played in the park every day.) Here, 'jouais' is in the imparfait, indicating a habitual action that occurred regularly in the past.
When to Use the Imparfait
Use the imparfait when describing background scenes, emotions, or ongoing actions in the past. It often pairs with the passé composé, where the latter indicates specific completed actions within that ongoing context.
Key Takeaways
The imparfait is essential for describing ongoing or habitual actions in the past. Remember to use the 'nous' form to create it and apply it in contexts where actions were not completed but rather ongoing or repeated.
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