Je ne connaissais pas

paul b.A1Kwiziq community member

Je ne connaissais pas

In the exercise "I don't know this author" English present tense, is translated as "je ne connaissais pas" French Imparfait? Is that correct?

Asked 7 months ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Paul, 

We have changed the French to the present tense to match the English.

Bonne Continuation !

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Paul,

The text should be "I didn't know" to match l'imparfait.

For first person present as per the text ( I don't know ...) then it needs to be written '"Je ne connais pas ___"

The sense is that of not being aware of, or familiar with, this particular author.

Hope this helps

Jim 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

You use the imperfect tense in French also for events that happened in the past (usually with some noticeable duration) that do not extend to the presence.

In this case, the imperfect is used because you didn't know the author in the past but you do know her now.

Je ne connaissais pas

In the exercise "I don't know this author" English present tense, is translated as "je ne connaissais pas" French Imparfait? Is that correct?

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
Let me take a look at that...