A In the sentences below, an accident is described.

Présentation au sujet: "A In the sentences below, an accident is described."— Transcription de la présentation:

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2 A In the sentences below, an accident is described.
L’usage de l’imparfait: circonstances d’un événement p. 352 In the sentences below, an accident is described. Note the use of the PASSÉ COMPOSÉ. The PASSÉ COMPOSÉ is used to describe a well-defined action, completed at a specific point in time. (The mention of time may be omitted.) Hier, Pauline a vu un accident. Yesterday Pauline saw an accident. Elle a téléphoné à la police. She called the police. Une ambulance est arrivée. An ambulance arrived. Continued...

3 A In the sentences below, an accident is described.
L’usage de l’imparfait: circonstances d’un événement p. 352 In the sentences below, an accident is described. Note the use of the IMPERFECT. The IMPERFECT is used to describe conditions and circumstances that form the background of another past action. TIME AND WEATHER Il était deux heures. It was two (o’clock). La visibilité était mauvaise. The visibility was poor. Il neigeait. It was snowing. OUTWARD APPEARANCE; PHYSICAL, MENTAL, OR EMOTIONAL STATE Le conducteur était un homme jeune. The driver was a young man. Il portait un manteau gris. He was wearing a gray coat. Il n’était pas prudent. He was not careful. Continued...

4 A In the sentences below, an accident is described.
L’usage de l’imparfait: circonstances d’un événement p. 352 In the sentences below, an accident is described. Note the use of the PASSÉ COMPOSÉ and the IMPERFECT. The IMPERFECT is used to describe conditions and circumstances that form the background of another past action. EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES Il n’y avait pas d’autres passagers. There were no other passengers. La voiture allait vite. The car was going fast. OTHER ACTIONS IN PROGRESS Pauline allait en ville. Pauline was going downtown. Sa copine l’attendait. Her friend was waiting for her.

5 B Résumé: L’usage de l’imparfait et du passé composé p. 354 In talking about the past, the French use both the IMPERFECT and the PASSÉ COMPOSÉ. The choice of tense reflects the type of actions or events that are being described. IMPERFECT HABITUAL OR REPEATED ACTIONS Le samedi soir, nous allions au cinéma. PROGRESSIVE ACTIONS J’allais en ville … CIRCUMSTANCES OF A MAIN EVENT Il pleuvait. Continued...

6 B Résumé: L’usage de l’imparfait et du passé composé p. 354 In talking about the past, the French use both the IMPERFECT and the PASSÉ COMPOSÉ. The choice of tense reflects the type of actions or events that are being described. PASSÉ COMPOSÉ SPECIFIC AND ISOLATED ACTIONS Samedi dernier, nous sommes allés au concert. ACTIONS THAT TAKE PLACE AT A GIVEN TIME OR FOR A GIVEN PERIOD … quand j’ai rencontré ma cousine. MAIN EVENT Nous sommes allés dans un café.