Ah! The cruel doubt! Both sentences exist but they express slightly different things. So how to choose between the two verb tenses? To tell a story in the past tense, you will need these two verb tenses and you must therefore master them well. And I explain it all to you in this video! Don't forget to subscribe and press the bell to receive notifications of my next videos. In the first part, we will see the past tense. In a second part, we will approach the imperfect. In the third part, you will learn how to use them together in a sentence. Finally, I will show you the small difficulties. Let's go ! Before seeing the differences in usage between these two verb tenses, you absolutely must understand one thing. In all cases (or almost), the verb expresses an action that is completed or describes a situation that is in the past. It doesn't continue in the present. It's in the past. But we start with the past tense. To form it, we use the auxiliary verbs “AVOIR” or “ÊTRE” conjugated in the present indicative and we add the past participle of the main verb. For example: Yesterday I had breakfast and then I went to work. We use the past tense to talk about specific and specific actions in the past. For example: John received a gift. He received a gift at some point in the past and that was it. It's punctual. Anna and Stella came home at eight p.m. This is a one-off action in the past. They came home at a specific time, at eight p.m. The past tense is like an action movie. We focus on the action at a given moment. The thief came running. He broke the jewelry store window. He took all the jewelry. He left with a big bag, but he fell to the ground and he cried. But that’s the past tense! The imperfect is different. To construct the imperfect, in most cases, we use the stem of the verb conjugated with "NOUS" in the present indicative and we add the endings: For example: Be careful of two things: First, the pronunciation of the endings of all people is identical except those of "NOUS" and "VOUS". Secondly, in Toulouse, we say: But in Paris, it's a little more open sound and we say: So in Paris, we would rather say: And in Toulouse: Concerning the use of the imperfect, we have more possibilities. We can choose the imperfect to describe situations and states in the past. We set the context of the situation, the setting. For example: I was sitting in front of the sea and the sun was shining. I was happy. Here I describe my position (I was sitting), the description of the sun (it was shining) and the description of my emotional state (I was happy). And it all takes place in the past. The imperfect is also used to talk about habits in the past. For example: During my childhood, I slept with my blanket every night and I went to the beach every Sunday. I use the imperfect because these are repetitions in the past: every night and every Sunday. Here is an example with a description + an habit: When I lived in Saint-Tropez, I went to the beach every day. We have a description of my situation in the past, the context, (when I lived in Saint-Tropez) and then, I talk about my habit (I went to the beach every day). The imperfect is more like a painting. We have time to take a good look at the situation. When I lived in Saint-Tropez... And sometimes, it's like a documentary that shows the daily life of a character. I went to the beach every day. I was drinking coconut water. I tanned on the fine sand. I played volleyball. I went out with my friends and danced at nightclubs. Now let's move on to the case where we use the past perfect and the imperfect in the same sentence. For example: I was sleeping peacefully, but my phone rang and it woke me up. We are going to analyze this sentence. I was sleeping peacefully. It is a description of the context. We have the image of a painting, so we use the imperfect tense. I was sleeping peacefully, Then, we use the past tense because we have two verbs which represent specific actions: ... but my phone rang and it woke me up. Let's look at another example: Last week I made a cake that was delicious. In the first part of my sentence, I use the past tense because I am talking about a specific action at a given moment: I baked a cake. In the second part of my sentence I use the imperfect tense because I am describing the cake: which was delicious. We have a description of the feeling the cake gives me. It's time to talk about difficulties! Eh yes ! It's French ! Difficulty number 1: Sometimes both times are possible. Look: Both sentences are correct, but there is a slight nuance in meaning. When we use the sentence in the past tense, we focus more on the fact that happened at a specific time (yesterday). But when we use the imperfect, we focus more on the description, the picture (the rain). Frankly, the difference is very subtle and both sentences are correct, so no real problem here. Difficulty number 2: Definite or indefinite period? Look at these two sentences: I studied at university for 5 years. Before, I studied at university. In the first sentence I'm talking about a defined period (for 5 years). When I specify the period in the past, I use the past perfect and not the imperfect. In the second sentence, I don't specify the duration. I'm just describing and the timing is vague (before). Difficulty number 3: Frequency or quantity? Do you understand the difference between these two sentences: I cleaned twice. I cleaned twice a week. In the first sentence, we use the past tense because we are talking about a total quantity (twice). In the second sentence, we use the imperfect tense because we are talking about the frequency of cleaning (twice a week). Difficulty number 4: always and never Observe these two sentences carefully: Before, I always did sports. I have always played sports. Here, there is a big difference between the two sentences. In the first sentence, I say that I used to do sports before, so I use the imperfect tense. This situation is no longer a reality in the present. habit in the past = imperfect In the second sentence "I have always played sports", I say that I have always played sports. I started in the past and continue in the present. But Guillaume, can the past tense represent the present? Yes ! This is an exception. This is because we have the word “TOUJOURS” in the sentence in the past tense. The same thing happens with the word “JAMAIS”. Look: Before, I never did sports. This situation is no longer a reality in the present. Now I play sports. I'm talking about a habit in the past, so I use the imperfect tense. But if I say: I have never done sports. It's different. It means: neither before nor now. It is a reality that continues in the present. So, when we use “TOUJOURS” or “JAMAIS” in a sentence in the past tense, it is a reality that continues in the present. Difficulty number 5: description of the context + action This is a case where I often see errors. Look closely at the example: While I was driving, a bee stung me. Here, we must put the first verb in the imperfect because we describe the context of the situation: while I was driving. On the other hand, we will conjugate the main action in the past tense: a bee stung me. This action is more important than the verb “CONDUIRE”. And to finish in style, I would like to give you a little tip. With the verb "ÊTRE", we use the imperfect tense more often because it is a state verb like "SEMBLER" or "PARAÎTRE". When we say that the verb “ÊTRE” is a state verb, that means that it allows you to explain and describe what state you are in. And now you know that when you describe, you use the imperfect tense. For example: He was often tired, but always seemed happy to work with her. It's good ! Now, I'm giving you your French diploma on the past perfect and the imperfect. Congratulations to you ! It's a somewhat complex lesson, but essential for speaking French well. If you liked this lesson, you can like and subscribe to my channel. You can also support my work by joining the other SUPER students who contribute to the development of the channel. I wish you a good day ! Kisses and goodbye !