Why is "I've seen the neighborhood evolve" translated passé composé instead of imparfait? "I've seen" describes something that happens over time and is not ended, it's continuous and I'm not done seeing. Isn't that the case for imparfait?
I've seen: imparfait or passé composé ?
- « Back to Q&A Forum
- « Previous questionNext question »
Craig B.Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
I've seen: imparfait or passé composé ?
Asked 2 years ago
No, passé composé is used for something that started/happened/was true in the past and is still ongoing/happening/true now. If the speaker wants to indicate that a pas event is current as well - passé composé. If they wanted to say they saw it evolve within a specific time period - also passé composé.
Imparfait would mean no longer seeing the neighbourhood evolving - more along the lines of a vaguer ‘I was seeing it evolve’ or ‘I used to see it evolve’, without clear time boundaries. If the speaker wanted to state they were not continuing to see ongoing evolution in the neighbourhood - imparfait would be used.
This use is discussed in this external link - In comprehensible French with subtitles if required. Towards the end in the advanced use cases
https://youtu.be/3rpQ5xeFneg
Craig B. asked:View original
I've seen: imparfait or passé composé ?
Why is "I've seen the neighborhood evolve" translated passé composé instead of imparfait? "I've seen" describes something that happens over time and is not ended, it's continuous and I'm not done seeing. Isn't that the case for imparfait?
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Ask a question
Find your French level for FREE
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Find your French level