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B1Grammar cheat sheet
Imparfait
High-priority B1 grammar concept for TEF/TCF preparation: Imparfait.
Quick rule
Use imparfait for habits, descriptions, background situations, and repeated past actions.
Patterns to memorize
- nous present stem + -ais/-ais/-ait/-ions/-iez/-aient
- être is irregular: j'étais, tu étais, il était
- common clues: avant, souvent, chaque jour, quand j'étais
Where to use it
- Describing a past situation
- Setting context before a past event
- Talking about old habits
High-value examples
Quand j'étais étudiant, je travaillais le soir.
When I was a student, I used to work in the evening.
Past habit and description.
Il faisait froid et les routes étaient dangereuses.
It was cold and the roads were dangerous.
Background description.
Common mistakes
- Using imparfait for a single completed action
- Forgetting the nous stem
- Mixing imparfait endings with present-tense stems
Mini drill
- Write 3 childhood habit sentences.
- Describe a past place with 3 adjectives.
- Add one completed event in passé composé.
Exam target
Use Imparfait in level-appropriate sentences.Recognize common errors and produce a corrected version.Apply the form in short exam-style writing.