Passé composé vs imparfait

Cori H.C1Kwiziq community member

Passé composé vs imparfait

Why is it in passé composé :

Tu n'as pas eu froid ?

and not imparfait :

Tu n'avait pas froid ?

This question relates to:French dictation exercise "A concert under the stars"

Dictation exercise A2

Asked 3 days ago

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CélineKwiziq Native French TeacherCorrect answer

Bonjour Cori,

Using L'Imparfait (tu n'avais pas froid) would describe an ongoing state. Here, Le Passé Composé (tu n'as pas eu froid) is correct because you are relating to the completed event (an outdoor concert):

Tu n'avais pas froid ? = Weren't you cold?

-> describing an ongoing state in the past time

Tu n'as pas eu froid ? = Did you not get cold?

-> a completed action

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

Like117 hours ago

Cori H. asked: