1. Passé composé v. imparfait
Which one do I use?!

2. PassÉ composÉ
Used to narrate specific events, with specific start and stop times
Talks about something that happed a single time
Could also be used to describe something that happened a distinct number of times
Used when an action interrupts another action

3. imparfait Known as the “describer”; used to set the scene
Describes an ongoing action with no specified completion
Used to describe something habitual, or recurring
Used to describe the background action, what is ongoing
There is also a set of circumstances to be used as a guide, that if met, require imparfait to be used (WATERLOAD)

4. Waterload (imparfait)
W ~ Weather
A ~ Age
T ~ Time
E ~ Emotion
R ~ Repeated Action
L ~ Location
O ~ Ongoing Action
A ~ Attitude
D ~ Description

5. “I was going to France” J’allais en France
PRACTICE
“I was going to France” J’allais en France

6. “I went to France” Je suis allé en France
practice
“I went to France” Je suis allé en France

7. “I visited a monument” J’ai visité un monument
practice
“I visited a monument” J’ai visité un monument

8. “I was visiting monuments” Je visitais des monuments
practice
“I was visiting monuments” Je visitais des monuments

9. practice
“I traveled in France last year” J’ai voyagé en France l’année dernière

10. “I was afraid of dogs” J’avais peur des chiens
practice
“I was afraid of dogs” J’avais peur des chiens

11. “I was scared when the dog barked” J’ai eu peur quand le chien a aboyé
practice
“I was scared when the dog barked” J’ai eu peur quand le chien a aboyé