bella892

[meager crow]

Please be patient

Our volunteers look into many questions every day; sometimes it takes them a little while to answer.

Pro tip: you can rename the thread title with `.tr <thread name>`

Make it descriptive, including relevant context, but also to the point. This way you improve your chances of getting a more relevant and specific answer.

[gilded radish]

hi bella, can you tell me what you know about the two tenses?

[winter orchid]

Well i know that imparfait is based on events passe composé is based on actions. I think what I’m most confused about is when it comes to conjugating the verbs.

[gilded radish]

well that's not really the distinction between the two

Passé composé is used to describe events that happened at a specific point in the past. They're singular events, with no duration in your narration.

Imparfait is used to describe long-lasting states, habits, or contextual events.

Picture a timeline. If the event is a single point in time, it would be passé composé, if it's a duration in which stuff happens, it would be imparfait (passé composé actions can actually take some time in practice, but this doesn't matter in the context of your narration)

Regarding conjugation

Imparfait: https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/imperfect-conjugations/

Passé composé: https://lecoursdefrancais.weebly.com/le-passeacute-composeacute-avoir.html

[pure stirrup]

I mean, this material is good if you know how it works already I guess

basically, the imperfect is telling you background information

Setting the scene

so for example, it was sunny out. People were walking planes were flying by dogs were barking. I was walking along the sidewalk.

and The compound past is like a sequence of events.

I took a walk along the sidewalk, went into a store bought some things, flirted with the cashier, got rejected, went home and turned on the TV.