Past background and completed events
This module also uses a small amount of the imperfect, mainly for background, repeated habits, or description: , , , . This sets the scene.
Use the for the main event that happened and moved the story forward: , , . A simple way to think about it is background vs event.
Compare: First, where you were; then, what happened. Or: Sleeping is the background state; taking the photo is the action.
At A1, do not build long complicated past sentences. Short combinations are enough:
| Form | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| I was there. | ||
| I was there. | ||
| It was very dark. | ||
| It was very dark. | ||
| Félix was sleeping under the table. | ||
| Félix was sleeping under the table. | ||
| I saw a shadow. | ||
| I saw a shadow. | ||
J’étais au festival samedi soir.I was at the festival on Saturday evening.
C’était très sombre.It was very dark.
Félix dormait sous la table.Félix was sleeping under the table.
Et puis, j’ai vu une ombre.And then I saw a shadow.
Madame Martin était sur le banc devant la scène.Mrs Martin was on the bench in front of the stage.
Zoé a pris beaucoup de photos.Zoé took lots of photos.
J’étais au stand du café quand le concert a commencé.I was at the café stall when the concert started.
Thomas dansait un peu, puis il a mangé du gâteau.Thomas was dancing a little, then he ate some cake.
Practice 1/6 · Finding words
Notice the useful pattern
Tap the form practised in this unit.
.
I was at the festival on Saturday evening.
.
It was very dark.
.
Félix was sleeping under the table.
, .
And then I saw a shadow.
Practice 2/6 · The right form
Choose the form
Use the English meaning and the pattern in this unit.
J’ au festival samedi soir.
I was at the festival on Saturday evening.
C’ très sombre.
It was very dark.
Félix sous la table.
Félix was sleeping under the table.
Et puis, j’ une ombre.
And then I saw a shadow.
Madame Martin sur le banc devant la scène.
Mrs Martin was on the bench in front of the stage.
Zoé beaucoup de photos.
Zoé took lots of photos.
J’ au stand du café quand le concert a commencé.
I was at the café stall when the concert started.
Thomas un peu, puis il a mangé du gâteau.
Thomas was dancing a little, then he ate some cake.
Practice 3/6 · Fill the gaps
Complete the messages
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
Félix sous la table.
Félix was sleeping under the table.
Et puis, j’ une ombre.
And then I saw a shadow.
Madame Martin sur le banc devant la scène.
Mrs Martin was on the bench in front of the stage.
Zoé beaucoup de photos.
Zoé took lots of photos.
J’ au stand du café quand le concert a commencé.
I was at the café stall when the concert started.
Thomas un peu, puis il a mangé du gâteau.
Thomas was dancing a little, then he ate some cake.
Practice 4/6 · Building sentences
Build a sentence
Put the words in order.
I was at the festival on Saturday evening.
It was very dark.
Félix was sleeping under the table.
And then I saw a shadow.
Mrs Martin was on the bench in front of the stage.
Zoé took lots of photos.
Practice 5/6 · In situations
What would you say?
Choose the right words for the situation.
I was at the festival on Saturday evening.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
I was at the festival on Saturday evening.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
It was very dark.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
It was very dark.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Félix was sleeping under the table.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Félix was sleeping under the table.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
And then I saw a shadow.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
And then I saw a shadow.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Practice 6/6 · Matching
Connect messages and meanings
Match the pairs.
Unit complete
