L'Imparfait (the imperfect past)
Video
Notes
- The imparfait is a tense that is used to either describe continuous states of being, activities that were ongoing, or habitual/repetitive actions taking place in the past. (Katz Bourns, 72).
- To form the imparfait, take the nous form of the verb in the present tense and drop the -ons ending to get the stem. Make sure that you find the stem in this manner because it works for almost every verb, even the irregulars.
- Then add the imparfait endings to the stem.
- Thankfully, because you are finding the stem with the "nous" form of the verb, most irregular verbs are regular in the imparfait!
- Below is an example of the irregular verb "aller," which is regular in the imparfait.
- The verb être is the main exception to the rule. Être has an irregular stem, but uses the same endings; its conjugations are below.
- RAPPELLEZ: for -ger and -cer verbs, you have a special stem-change in the nous form. These stem-changes are present in all EXCEPT for the nous and vous forms in the imparfait.
Activities
Introducing l'Imparfait with "Un autre monde" par Superbus.
Introduce the imparfait conjugations and usage to students with this song.
Introduce the imparfait conjugations and usage to students with this song.
- Give students a copy of the lyrics to the song Un Autre Monde in French. Underline where one sees l'imparfait. Here is a PDF of the lyrics.
- Before you allow the students to follow with the lyrics, have them just watch the video the first time and predict what the song is about.
- Allow students to listen to the song and follow the lyrics the second time.
- Then, have students go through and define unknown words. They can use the English translation or a dictionary.
- Go over the definitions after about 5 minutes.
- Next, have students identify how to construct l'imparfait using the underlined words in the song.
- Finally, review and share the construction. If the students are unable to identify how the imparfait works, explain it.
Imparfait: Les Conjugaisons
Practice the Imparfait Conjugations with this Quizlet activity.
Materials: Internet access, list (above)
Self-Correcting Practice
A practice activity which self-corrects, giving immediate feedback.
Materials: Internet access, activity link (above)
Practice the Imparfait Conjugations with this Quizlet activity.
Materials: Internet access, list (above)
Self-Correcting Practice
A practice activity which self-corrects, giving immediate feedback.
Materials: Internet access, activity link (above)
Additional Sites
French.About
An explanation of the imparfait with examples.
Français Facile
A video lesson followed by an explanation and a practice activity.
An explanation of the imparfait with examples.
Français Facile
A video lesson followed by an explanation and a practice activity.