What is the difference between the imparfait and le passé composé?
especially with these words
J'ai voulu vs je voulais
J'ai été vs. j'étais
j'ai eu vs. j'avais
j'ai pu vs. je pouvais
j'ai su vs. je savais
please help!
Copyright © 2024 1QUIZZ.COM - All rights reserved.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
French passé composé has the functions of either English Simple Past or English Present Perfect:
- J'ai voulu may mean I wanted or I have wanted, depending on the context.
French imparfait is in most cases translated into English as English Past Continous:
- Je marchait means I was walking.
However, the list you have shown here is actually a list of exceptions to this rule because, in this case, French Imparfait is translated into English Simple Past.
- Je voulais means I wanted (It would not be possible to say "I was wanting").
And yet, it represents an action that has not ended. This is a limitation to English language.
This leads me to the answer to your question: Whereas Passé composé represents an acction that finished in the past (like English Simple Past), French Imparfait represents an unfinished action in the past.