4.3.7

Imperfect Tense - Irregular ER Verbs

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Irregular ER Verbs in the Imperfect Tense

Any 'ER' verb that is irregular in the 'nous' form of the present tense will have an irregular stem in the imperfect tense.

Illustrative background for Verbs ending in 'cer'Illustrative background for Verbs ending in 'cer' ?? "content

Verbs ending in 'cer'

  • Commencer → nous commençons → commenç
    • Because 'commencer' is irregular in the 'nous' form of the present tense, the imperfect stem is irregular.
    • You add the imperfect endings to the irregular stem.
      • E.g. Je commençais.
  • These verbs are not irregular in the 'nous' and 'vous' form of the imperfect tense
    • E.g. Nous commencions.
Illustrative background for Verbs that end in 'ger'Illustrative background for Verbs that end in 'ger' ?? "content

Verbs that end in 'ger'

  • Manger → nous mangeons → mange
    • Because 'manger' is irregular in the 'nous' form of the present tense, the imperfect stem is irregular.
    • You add the imperfect endings to the irregular stem.
      • E.g. Je mangeais.
  • These verbs are not irregular in the 'nous' and 'vous' forms of the imperfect tense.
    • E.g. Vous mangiez

Jump to other topics

1Identity & Culture

2Areas of Interest

3Study & Employment

4Common Tenses

4.1Present Tense

4.2Perfect Tense

4.3Imperfect Tense

4.4Imperfect vs Perfect

4.5Future Tense

5Advanced Tenses

6Extra Grammar

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