Phase 4 • Module 4.1

The Past Tenses

To tell stories, you need the past. French uses two main past tenses: **Passé Composé** (completed actions) and **L'Imparfait** (descriptions/habits).

Travel back in time

1. Passé Composé

Used for specific, completed actions. It's built with Avoir or Être + a Past Participle.

J'ai mangé

I ate / I have eaten

Avoir Helper

Je suis allé

I went / I have gone

Être Helper (Movement)

2. L'Imparfait

Used for background info, descriptions ("was/were"), or habits ("used to").

"Quand j'étais petit, je jouais..."

When I was little, I used to play...