PC versus Imparfait

WhiteA2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

PC versus Imparfait

Why is is imparfait used in this sentence?  L'écureuil allait plus vite que lui...  I would have considered the phrase  part of the story chronology-- not background/description.  Or should I "translate" it as The squirrel was faster than him...  since it is a comparison of speed?  Merci?

Asked 4 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi White,

The sentence -

...l'écureuil allait plus vite que lui...

could be translated as 

the squirrel was going faster than him

or 

the squirrel was faster than him

but the imperfect is correct here and you can see the squirrel running in continuing action.

Hope this helps!

DeletedB2Kwiziq community member

Is it in the imparfait because it is desciption of continuous action that had not ended at that time ? I find this a very confusing topic.

PC versus Imparfait

Why is is imparfait used in this sentence?  L'écureuil allait plus vite que lui...  I would have considered the phrase  part of the story chronology-- not background/description.  Or should I "translate" it as The squirrel was faster than him...  since it is a comparison of speed?  Merci?

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