The imperfect

1 Formation of the imperfect

Take the nous form of the present tense, remove -ons and add the endings -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient.

The only exception to this rule is être which has a completely different stem j'étais, tu étais etc.

2 Use of the imperfect

Just as perfect tenses in French are used to express completed actions, the imperfect tense is used to express an action or state viewed as not completed. The imperfect is used as follows:

2.1 Describing state of affairs

Mainly with être, for describing a state of affairs in the past:

Lorsqu'il était célibataire il était très dépensier

When he was single he was very extravagant

Il faisait noir et les routes étaient dangereuses

It was dark and the roads were dangerous

2.2 Describing on-going activity

For describing an on-going activity in the past. Here English would often use was / were doing:

A cette époque-là, Paul travaillait à Paris

At that time Paul was working in Paris

2.3 Describing habitual action

For describing a habitual action in the past. Here the equivalent verb in English is or can be introduced by used to or would. Be careful not to use the conditional here:

Quand j'habitais à Paris, j'allais souvent au théâtre

When I lived in Paris, I would often go to the theatre

2.4 After si

In conditional sentences using si:

Si j'avais plus de temps, j'irais à la soirée

If I had more time, I would go to the party

Il s'adresse aux gens comme s'ils étaient des enfants

He talks to people as if they were children

2.5 Creating sense of politeness

The imperfect can also be used to create a sense of politeness:

Je voulais vous dire que je ne serais pas au bureau lundi

I wanted to tell you that I won't be in the office on Monday