Nous étions en train de conduire

Liz H.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Nous étions en train de conduire

Why is this wrong? We were driving in Paris when ... It seems like the perfect use of this structure. You suggest using the imparfait for conduire vs en train de. Why? 

I see the question asks for conduire in imparfait but I’m still curious why since this seems to call for en train de. Thanks again! 

Asked 4 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Liz,

Can't answer you for sure without the full context but I suspect that 'en train de' was just unnecessary ...

The following are some examples where you would have to use 'en train de', I hope they help...

Q: Tu as fait le rapport sur l'accident?Have you done the report on the accident?

R: Oui, je suis en train de le faireYes, I am in the middle of doing it 

Q: Vous pensez toujours déménager en France? Are you still thinking of moving to France?

R: Oui, nous sommes en train d'étudier la question Yes, we are in the process of studying the matter

etc.

Josephine B.A0Kwiziq community member

cool

Nous étions en train de conduire

Why is this wrong? We were driving in Paris when ... It seems like the perfect use of this structure. You suggest using the imparfait for conduire vs en train de. Why? 

I see the question asks for conduire in imparfait but I’m still curious why since this seems to call for en train de. Thanks again! 

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