L’imparfait · formation
1 · Find the present nous form
The present form gives the useful stem, including letters absent from the infinitive.
Nous finissons → finiss- → je finissais.We finish → stem finiss- → I used to finish.
Nous prenons → pren- → tu prenais.We take → stem pren- → you used to take.
2 · Attach the subject ending
Use one set of endings across the tense.
| je / tu : -ais | First and second person singular |
| il / elle / on : -ait | Third person singular |
| nous : -ions | First person plural |
| vous : -iez | Second person plural |
| ils / elles : -aient | Third person plural |
3 · Give être its own stem
Use ét-, with the same six endings. Keep the accent.
J’étais calme. Nous étions disponibles.I was calm. We were available.
4 · Check the letters before the ending
The sound-preserving e or cedilla is needed before a, while a stem ending in i keeps that letter.
Je mangeais, nous mangions.I used to eat; we used to eat.
Je commençais, vous commenciez.I used to begin; you used to begin.
Nous étudiions, vous étudiiez.We used to study; you used to study.