In L'Imparfait, almost all the verbs follow the same pattern of conjugation. See Conjugate regular verbs in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense).
However (as usual!), the verb être (to be) is slightly irregular.
Have a look:
J'étais déjà mariée quand j'avais 20 ans.
I was already married when I was 20.
Tu étais rayonnante pendant ta grossesse.
You were beaming during your pregnancy.
C'était le plus beau jour de ma vie.
It was the most beautiful day of my life.
Nous étions en vacances lorsqu'ils nous ont cambriolés.
We were on holidays when they robbed us.
Vous étiez déjà amoureux à cette époque ?
Were you already in love at that time?
Ils étaient meilleurs amis cette année-là.
They were best friends that year.
Note that the irregular stem ét- (and NOT êt-) is followed by the regular Imparfait endings:
| je / j' | -ais |
| tu | -ais |
| il/elle/on | -ait |
| nous | -ions |
| vous | -iez |
| ils/elles | -aient |
Notice that L'imparfait is used in a variety of ways where we use very different tenses in English!
When to use the French Imperfect Tense (L'Imparfait)
Expressing continuing action in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)
Expressing habits or repeated actions in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)
Describing and expressing opinions in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Tu étais rayonnante pendant ta grossesse.
You were beaming during your pregnancy.
Ils étaient meilleurs amis cette année-là.
They were best friends that year.
J'étais déjà mariée quand j'avais 20 ans.
I was already married when I was 20.
Vous étiez déjà amoureux à cette époque ?
Were you already in love at that time?
Nous étions en vacances lorsqu'ils nous ont cambriolés.
We were on holidays when they robbed us.
C'était le plus beau jour de ma vie.
It was the most beautiful day of my life.
Q&A
Ron
Kwiziq community member
2/11/17
I am unable to answer for the Team as I am but a subscriber, user of Kwiziq myself, mais votre sentiment est très gentil and je suis tout d'accord.
Cécile
Kwiziq language super star
19/03/18
Sherry
Kwiziq community member
5 January 2017
2 replies
"J'étais mariée quand j'avais 20 ans."
"I was married when I was 20." Does that mean that during my 20s I was married and not that I got married when I was 20? Thanks!
Aurélie
Kwiziq language super star
6/01/17
It does mean "I was married", but I agree it's a bit of a confusing sentence.
I've decided to add already to make it clearer:
"J'étais déjà mariée quand j'avais 20 ans." (I was already married when I was 20.)
Bonne Année !
Sherry
Kwiziq community member
6/01/17
Laura
Kwiziq language super star
23/08/16
I looked through this lesson and kwiz, but I don't see "petite" anywhere. Do you remember which lesson you saw this on?
Doraida
Kwiziq community member
24/08/16
dave
Kwiziq community member
20 February 2018
3 replies
best/better?
dave
Kwiziq community member
20 February 2018
20/02/18
Chris
Kwiziq community member
21 February 2018
21/02/18
Hi Dave,
"Meilleurs amis" is a pretty fixed phrase meaning "best friends".
-- Chris (not a native speaker).
dave
Kwiziq community member
22 February 2018
22/02/18