can pendant be used for duration in the past using imparfait eg J'etudiais le francais pendant 2 ans

L H.A0Kwiziq community member

can pendant be used for duration in the past using imparfait eg J'etudiais le francais pendant 2 ans

This question relates to:French lesson "Using the present tense (Le Présent) - and not the compound past (Le Passé Composé) - in sentences with "depuis" (since/for) in French (French Prepositions of Time)"

Asked 6 years ago

Like0Answer3

CécileKwiziq Native French TeacherCorrect answer

Hi L,

No, you cannot say, 'J'étudiais le français pendant deux ans.' as it lasted two years in now finished, the only possibility is-

'J'ai étudié le français pendant deux ans.'

Like16 years ago

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Pendant, in this context, refers to a well defined period in the past. Therefore I would say:

J'ai étudié le français pendant deux ans.

I don't think there is a rule forbidding the use of imparfait in conjunction with pendant. It's just that in this example, I would use the passé composé.

The opinion of a native speaker would be greatly appreciated, though.

Like06 years ago

Joan C.A1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Can we use l'imparfait with pendant?

Like06 years ago

L H. asked:

can pendant be used for duration in the past using imparfait eg J'etudiais le francais pendant 2 ans

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