French Grammar
Imparfait
Verb stem + -ais / -ais / -ait / -ions / -iez / -aient
The imparfait sets the scene — what was happening, what used to happen, what the world was like. It pairs with the passé composé to give French its characteristic past-tense texture.
Real Examples from Native Speakers
"Voilà à quoi ressemblait mon appartement."
Après l’incendie : quand les assurances t’abandonnent
How it works
Formula
Verb stem + -ais / -ais / -ait / -ions / -iez / -aient
This page combines the textbook rule with real-world French — every example is an unscripted clip from a real native speaker. You're hearing how this grammar point sounds in real life, not in a classroom.