imparfait/passé composé distinction

Steve B.C1Kwiziq community member

imparfait/passé composé distinction

Would the meaning change if it began with "Je rêvais toujours..." to indicate a continuing/ongoing state of mind in the past?

This question relates to:French dictation exercise "Future grandma"

Dictation exercise B1

Asked 4 years ago

Like0Answer1

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Yes, the meaning would change. The difference -- to French ears -- sounds like this:

J'ai toujours rêvé... -- I've always dreamed...
Je rêvais toujours... -- I was always dreaming...

The passé composé stresses the fact that there was a string of successive, individual events in the past. The imparfait makes it sound more like a state of dreaming.

Like14 years ago

Steve B. asked:

imparfait/passé composé distinction

Would the meaning change if it began with "Je rêvais toujours..." to indicate a continuing/ongoing state of mind in the past?

Don't have an account yet? Join today

« English translations request Imperfect vs past conditional »

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level