The imparfait (continuous past) emphasises the progression or the regular repetition of an action in the past.

How to Conjugate Verbs in the Imparfait:

The stem consists of the first-person plural ( nous ) form of the present tense without the – ons ending. Add the following endings to the stem:

singular plural

1. – ais 1. – ions

2. – ais 2. – iez

3. – ait 3. – aient

All of the singular and the third-person plural endings are pronounced the same way

USAGE:

1. Description of a situation in the past;

Ex. : Quand il était jeune, il habitait à Paris. – When he was young, he used to live in Paris.

2. Description of a person, a paysage;

Ex. : Elle avait des cheveux blonds. – She had blond hair.

3. Habitual action in the past.

Ex.: J’allais au cinéma tous les samedis. – I used to go to the movies every Saturday.