imparfait vs. en train de

Melody S.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

imparfait vs. en train de

I echo Meghna's last question: The correct answer is ´J'ai frappé à la porte, mais tu étais en train de dormir.´. Could I say this as j'ai frappé ..... mais tu dormais?

This question relates to:French lesson "Expressing ongoing actions in the past in French: être en train de"

Asked 7 years ago

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AurélieNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Melody !

Yes, here L'Imparfait expresses an ongoing action in the past.
The expression "être en train de" simply emphasise the "ongoing-ness" of the process.

À bientôt !

Like27 years ago

Melody S. asked:

imparfait vs. en train de

I echo Meghna's last question: The correct answer is ´J'ai frappé à la porte, mais tu étais en train de dormir.´. Could I say this as j'ai frappé ..... mais tu dormais?

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