Imparfait versus Passé Composé

Kingsley W.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Imparfait versus Passé Composé

"Au quotidien, faire les courses est devenu un vrai cauchemar : il fallait que je lise toutes les étiquettes !" VS "Même les produits que je n'aurais jamais suspectés de contenir du gluten m'étaient à présent interdits à jamais. Il a fallu que j'apprenne à cuisiner.."

I'm guessing example 1 uses the imparfait since it's a "continuing action", but isn't example 2 also a "continuing action" even with the fullstop separating the two?
Asked 3 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

The second example is better in passé composé because it is a single event: "I had to learn how to cook". And not "I was having to learn..."

Tom A.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Yes: he had to learn to cook only once. Reading the labels was something he was obliged to do repeatedly.

Imparfait versus Passé Composé

"Au quotidien, faire les courses est devenu un vrai cauchemar : il fallait que je lise toutes les étiquettes !" VS "Même les produits que je n'aurais jamais suspectés de contenir du gluten m'étaient à présent interdits à jamais. Il a fallu que j'apprenne à cuisiner.."

I'm guessing example 1 uses the imparfait since it's a "continuing action", but isn't example 2 also a "continuing action" even with the fullstop separating the two?

Sign in to submit your answer

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
Clever stuff happening!