Passe Compose describes specific actions or events that occurred at a definite point in the past and were completed, such as what happened or specific events at a certain time. Imparfait describes ongoing or continuous actions or events in the past, such as how things were, what happened repeatedly, a state of being, or background information. The Passe Compose expresses completed actions while the Imparfait describes ongoing or habitual actions in the past.

1. Passe Compose Vs Imparfait
Passe Compose expresses specific
actions or events that were started
and completed at a definite point
in the past.
 What happened?
 Completed action.
 Action that happened only once.
 Specific events at a certain time
Imparfait describes ongoing
or continuous actions or
events in the past
 How were things?
 What happened repeatedly.
 State of being.
 Background information
Passe Compose Imparfait