Plus-que-parfait or passé composé? Tell events in order or look back
Compare a forward-moving account with a flashback. Paired life-story examples and four questions show when French needs an earlier-past viewpoint.
In short
Use the passé composé to tell completed events in an account: j’ai terminé ma formation, puis j’ai trouvé un emploi. Use the plus-que-parfait to look back from a past moment: quand j’ai trouvé cet emploi, j’avais terminé ma formation. The same events can be organised either way.
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What is the difference between the plus-que-parfait and the passé composé?
J’ai terminé ma formation, puis j’ai trouvé un emploi.I finished my training, then I found a job.
Focus: the account moves forward from training to work
passé composé → passé composé
J’ai envoyé ma candidature, puis j’ai passé un entretien.
I sent my application, then I had an interview.
Quand j’ai trouvé cet emploi, j’avais déjà terminé ma formation.When I found this job, I had already finished my training.
Focus: the job is the viewpoint; the training is earlier
past viewpoint → earlier past
Au moment de l’entretien, j’avais déjà envoyé ma candidature.
At the time of the interview, I had already sent my application.
Finishing the training happens first in both versions. In the first, the speaker tells each event in sequence. In the second, the speaker starts at finding work and looks back. Being first on the calendar is one thing; being presented as a flashback is another.
Use the earlier past to explain a later situation
- Inès
Comment as-tu trouvé ce poste ?
How did you find this job?
- Marc
Une ancienne collègue m’a appelé. Elle avait entendu parler de ma formation.
A former colleague called me. She had heard about my training.
- Inès
Tu connaissais déjà l’équipe ?
Did you already know the team?
- Marc
Oui, j’avais travaillé avec deux personnes de l’équipe.
Yes, I had worked with two people on the team.
| Earlier | Past viewpoint | What the earlier event explains |
|---|---|---|
| Elle avait entendu parler de sa formation. | Elle l’a appelé. | Why the colleague contacted him. |
| Il avait travaillé avec deux personnes. | Il a rejoint l’équipe. | Why some team members were already familiar. |
A tense change can change the order
Quand Léa est arrivée, Marc a commencé son récit.
When Léa arrived, Marc began his account.
The beginning follows or coincides with her arrival in this account.
Quand Léa est arrivée, Marc avait déjà commencé son récit.
When Léa arrived, Marc had already begun his account.
The beginning comes before her arrival. She missed the start.
A time word helps, but the viewpoint still matters. J’ai déjà travaillé ici gives earlier experience from now. J’avais déjà travaillé ici gives earlier experience from a past point, such as the day someone offered a job. Both sentences use déjà; the auxiliary tells you where the speaker is looking back from.