Imparfait - Actif (Basic Format)

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Imparfait – actif (Basic format)

1.  Take the "nous" form of the verb in the Présent - Indicatif  

·         (See Présent-Indicatif - Actif (Basic Format) for detailed discussion and important exceptions of the Présent - Indicatif.)

                (nous) parlons

2.  Remove the "-ons" ending

                parl ...

3.  Add the appropriate ending:

                ( -ais,  -ais,  -ait,  -ions,  -iez,  -aient )

Exception: the verb "être" becomes "étais,  étais,  était,  étions,  étiez,  étaient"

10A

Examples:

Example 1 (masculin / féminin singulier)

Il (elle) parlait ...

He (she) did speak / did talk ... (routinely, at some time in the past)

He (she) spoke / talked ... (routinely, at some time in the past)

He (she) used to speak / used to talk ... (routinely, at some time in the past)

He (she) was speaking / was talking (was "in the process of" speaking / talking)

He (she) would speak / would talk ... (routinely, at some time in the past)

Example 2 (masculin / féminin singulier)

Il (elle) avait des maux de tête ...

He (she) did have headaches ... (routinely, at some time in the past)

He (she) had headaches ... (routinely, at some time in the past)

He (she) used to have headaches ... (routinely, at some time in the past)

He (she) would have headaches ... (routinely, at some time in the past)

Example 3 (masculin / féminin singulier)

Il (elle) avait mal à la tête ...

He (she) had a headache ... (was "in a state of" having a headache)