Learners often get confused about when to use passé composé and imparfait. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:
Using Passé Composé for Ongoing Actions:
An example of this mistake is saying, "Quand j'étais jeune, je jouais au foot."
This sentence is correct because it uses imparfait for actions that were happening over a period of time.
Using Imparfait for Completed Actions:
A mistake here is saying, "Hier, j'ai mangé un gâteau."
This sentence is correct, as it uses passé composé for an action that has been finished.
Misunderstanding Context:
Remember, passé composé is for specific events. In contrast, imparfait helps to describe a scene or background.
For example, "Il pleuvait quand je suis sorti."
Here, we use imparfait to set the background (it was raining) and passé composé for the action (I went out).
By keeping these differences in mind, learners can get better at using these verb tenses!
Learners often get confused about when to use passé composé and imparfait. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:
Using Passé Composé for Ongoing Actions:
An example of this mistake is saying, "Quand j'étais jeune, je jouais au foot."
This sentence is correct because it uses imparfait for actions that were happening over a period of time.
Using Imparfait for Completed Actions:
A mistake here is saying, "Hier, j'ai mangé un gâteau."
This sentence is correct, as it uses passé composé for an action that has been finished.
Misunderstanding Context:
Remember, passé composé is for specific events. In contrast, imparfait helps to describe a scene or background.
For example, "Il pleuvait quand je suis sorti."
Here, we use imparfait to set the background (it was raining) and passé composé for the action (I went out).
By keeping these differences in mind, learners can get better at using these verb tenses!