KingsleyC1Kwiziq 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?

This question relates to:French writing exercise "Gluten-free living"

Freeform Writing Exercise C1

Asked 2 years ago

Like0Answer2

ChrisC1 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..."

Like02 years ago

TomC1 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.

Like01 year ago

Kingsley asked:View original

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?

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