Expressing past habits or repeated actions with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)

In French, L'Imparfait is used to describe past past habits or repeated actions.

Learn how to use L'Imparfait in French for habits or repeated actions in the past

Look at these uses of L'Imparfait:

Je lisais tous les jours.I used to read every day.

Tu étudiais chaque jour.You used to study each day.

Il jouait au football quand il était petit.He played football when he was small.

Tous les étés, nous allions dans le sud de la France.Every summer, we would go to the South of France.

Ma mère me berçait dans ses bras jusqu'à ce que je m'endorme.My mother used to rock me in her arms until I fell asleep.

Note that one of the uses of L'Imparfait is to express actions that repeated in the past, or past habits (e.g. would go every summer, I used to play, ...).

Note that in English you can use used to or would, but you can also use the Simple Past (i.e. I played) to express habits and repeated actions.

 

Other uses for L'Imparfait:

Expressing continuing action with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)
Expressing opinions and describing with the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)

See also how to combine L'Imparfait and Le Passé Composé: Using the compound tense (Le Passé Composé) on its own or with the imperfect tense (L'Imparfait)

And to see how to conjugate in L'Imparfait: Conjugate regular verbs in the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait) and Conjugate être in the imperfect tense in French (L'Imparfait)

Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Examples and resources

Julien avait des papillons dans le ventre à chaque fois qu'il pensait à elle.Julien had butterflies every time he thought about her.
Je lisais tous les jours.I used to read every day.
Il jouait au football quand il était petit.He played football when he was small.
Nous mangions des bonbons quand nous avions dix ans.We ate sweets when we were ten years old.
Vous étiez très méchants quand vous étiez enfants.You used to be so naughty when you were children.
Ils chantaient toute la journée.They used to sing all day.
Tous les étés, nous allions dans le sud de la France.Every summer, we would go to the South of France.
Ma mère me berçait dans ses bras jusqu'à ce que je m'endorme.My mother used to rock me in her arms until I fell asleep.
Nous allions à la plage le matin.We used to go to the beach in the morning.
Tu étudiais chaque jour.You used to study each day.
I'll be right with you...