How to Talk About Completed Actions in French (Imparfait vs Passé Composé)
Part of UNITÉ 0 — Les souvenirs d’enfance
Aligned with the International Baccalaureate MYP 3 (Phases 3–4)
passé composé French lesson beginner, imparfait vs passé composé difference, French past tense events, IB MYP French Unit 0 grammar
Lesson Overview
In this lesson, you will learn how to use le passé composé, the tense used to talk about:
- completed actions
- specific events
- changes in the past
You will also learn how to combine it with l’imparfait to create clear and structured narratives.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Distinguish actions vs habits
- Use passé composé for completed past actions
- Combine past tenses in speaking and writing
GRAMMAR FOCUS 2 — LE PASSÉ COMPOSÉ
When Do We Use the Passé Composé?
Use le passé composé for:
1. A Finished Action
Un jour, j’ai cassé mon bras.
2. A Specific Moment
Hier, j’ai rencontré mon ami.
3. A Change or Sudden Event
Soudain, il a commencé à pleuvoir.
Structure of the Passé Composé
Formula
Auxiliary (avoir / être) + past participle
With AVOIR
- j’ai joué
- tu as mangé
- il a regardé
With ÊTRE
- je suis allé(e)
- je suis tombé(e)
(Remember: agreement with the subject)
Imparfait vs Passé Composé (Key Comparison)
| Imparfait | Passé Composé |
|---|---|
| Habit | Event |
| Description | Action |
| Background | Main action |
Example Narrative
Quand j’étais petit, je jouais au football.
Un jour, je suis tombé.
Key Strategy
- Use imparfait to describe background
- Use passé composé for main events
This improves:
- clarity
- structure
- IB scores
Speaking Task (Pair Work)
Tell your partner:
- Une chose que tu faisais souvent
- Une chose spéciale qui est arrivée une fois
Example
Quand j’étais petit, je jouais tous les jours.
Un jour, j’ai gagné un match.
Practice Exercise
Choose the correct tense:
Quand j’_____ (être) petit, je _____ (jouer) au football.
Un jour, je _____ (tomber).
Writing Task
Write 3–4 sentences including:
- 1 habit (imparfait)
- 1 event (passé composé)
Starter:
Quand j’étais petit(e), …
Common Mistakes
- Using passé composé for habits
- Forgetting auxiliary verb
- Incorrect agreement with être
Skills Developed
- Narrative writing
- Speaking fluency
- Grammar accuracy
- Logical sequencing
Outcome
By the end of this lesson, you can:
- Talk about completed past actions
- Combine past tenses correctly
- Tell a simple story in French
Strategy
Previous lessons:
- Lesson 1 — Entrée dans l’unité
- Lesson 2 — L’imparfait
Next step (recommended page):
Imparfait vs Passé Composé Complete Guide
Suggested anchor text:
- Master French past tenses
- Learn when to use each past tense
Reflection Box
- Can I distinguish habits and events?
- Can I use passé composé correctly?
Final Practice
Say:
Quand j’étais petit(e), je…
Un jour, j’ai…
