What is the difference between the imparfait and
the passé composé?
To many students, this question is about as easy to answer as 'What's
the sound of one hand clapping?'. This key difference between two important
tenses is talked about in almost mystical terms. People who know the
difference and can use the tenses correctly often can't explain it because
it's instinctive, something they feel. And people's attempts to explain
it have generated many myths.
The difficulty arises because:
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1) the two tenses in French don't correspond neatly to equivalent tenses in English. 2) the difference is not bound by hard and fast rules: there are times when both might be grammatically correct (although the meaning might be different, especially the connotations, depending on which tense you choose). 3) the difference between them is conceptual: it relies on an understanding of aspect, which is never taught in English classes, even though English is full of them |
For an explanation of the differences, keep moving forward through the pages...
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