Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb absorber

Get the imperfect (imparfait) tense conjugation of absorber. Includes a FREE downloadable reference sheet (no email required). Alternatively if you have a lot of text to check then use our free French Grammar Checker – no registration required!

The English translation of the French verb “absorber” is “to absorb.” The pronunciation of the infinitive form “absorber” in French is [ab.sɔʁ.be].

The word “absorber” comes from the Latin word “absorbēre,” which means “to swallow up.” In everyday French, “absorber” is commonly used in the imparfait tense, which is used to describe ongoing or repeated past actions.

Here are three examples of “absorber” in the imparfait tense with their English translations:

  1. Je lisais un livre et j’absorbais chaque mot. (I was reading a book and absorbing every word.)
  2. Ils étudiaient ensemble et absorbaient les connaissances. (They were studying together and absorbing knowledge.)
  3. Nous mangions lentement et nous absorbions les saveurs. (We were eating slowly and absorbing the flavors.)

In each of these examples, the imparfait tense is used to describe a continuous or repeated action in the past, emphasizing the ongoing nature of absorption.

Table of the Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of absorber

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
je absorbais J’absorbais les connaissances. I was absorbing knowledge.
tu absorbais Tu absorbais rapidement. You were absorbing quickly.
il absorbait Il absorbait les informations. He was absorbing information.
elle absorbait Elle absorbait lentement. She was absorbing slowly.
on absorbait On absorbait les expériences. We were absorbing experiences.
nous absorbions Nous absorbions les nouvelles idées. We were absorbing new ideas.
vous absorbiez Vous absorbiez les détails. You were absorbing the details.
ils absorbaient Ils absorbaient les règles. They were absorbing the rules.
elles absorbaient Elles absorbaient les leçons. They were absorbing the lessons.

Other Conjugations for Absorber.

Le Present (Present Tense) Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber (You’re reading it right now!)

Passé Simple (Simple Past) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

Passé Composé (Present Perfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

Futur Simple (Simple Future) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

Futur Proche (Near Future) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

Plus-que-parfait (Pluperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

Passé Antérieur (Past Anterior) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

Futur Antérieur (Future Anterior) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

Subjonctif Présent (Subjunctive Present) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

Subjonctif Passé (Subjunctive Past) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

Subjonctif Imparfait (Subjunctive Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

Subjonctif Plus-que-parfait (Subjunctive Pluperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

Conditionnel Présent (Conditional Present) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

Conditionnel Passé (Conditional Past) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

Conditionnel Passé II (Conditional Past II) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

L’impératif Présent (Imperative Present) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

L’impératif Passé (Imperative Past) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

L’infinitif Présent (Infinitive Present) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

L’infinitif Passé (Infinitive Past) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

Le Participe Présent (Present Participle) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

Le Participe Passé (Past Participle) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb absorber

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Absorber – About the French Imparfait Tense

The French imparfait tense, often called the imperfect tense in English, is used to describe actions or states in the past. It’s primarily used to provide background information, set the scene, or describe habitual or ongoing actions in the past.

NOTE: To take a deep dive into all the French tenses then see our article on Mastering French Tense Conjugation.

Formation of the Imparfait Tense

To form the imparfait tense in French, you typically take the present tense nous form of the verb, drop the -ons ending, and add specific endings based on the verb group (regular -er, -ir, -re verbs) or use irregular forms for certain verbs.  

For regular -er verbs:

Take the infinitive form (e.g., parler, finir, rendre) Remove the -er ending Add the imparfait endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient 

For regular -ir verbs

Take the infinitive form (e.g., choisir, grandir, finir) Remove the -ir ending Add the imparfait endings: -issais, -issais, -issait, -issions, -issiez, -issaient 

For regular -re verbs

Take the infinitive form (e.g., vendre, attendre, entendre) Remove the -re ending Add the imparfait endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient

Common Everyday Usage Patterns

Description of Past Habits

The imparfait is often used to describe habitual actions or situations in the past. For example: “Quand j’étais enfant, je jouais au football tous les jours.” (When I was a child, I used to play football every day.) 

Background Information

It’s used to provide background information or set the stage for a main event in the past. For instance: “Il faisait beau ce jour-là.” (The weather was nice that day.) 

Mental and Emotional States

It’s employed to express emotions, thoughts, or physical sensations in the past. For example: “J’étais content quand il est arrivé.” (I was happy when he arrived.) 

Ongoing Actions

The imparfait describes actions that were in progress or happening when something else occurred in the past. For instance: “Je lisais un livre quand le téléphone a sonné.” (I was reading a book when the phone rang.)

Points to Note About the Imparfait Tense

Passé Composé vs. Imparfait

The imparfait and passé composé (a compound past tense) are often used together to express the completion of an action in the past (passé composé) and provide context or background (imparfait). For example: “Il regardait la télévision quand son ami est arrivé.” (He was watching TV when his friend arrived.) 

Conditional

The imparfait is used as the base for forming the conditional mood in French. For instance, “Je mangerais” (I would eat) is formed from “je mangeais” (I was eating). 

Si Clauses

In hypothetical or “if” clauses (si clauses), the imparfait is often used to express a condition in the past. For example: “Si j’avais de l’argent, j’achèterais une nouvelle voiture.” (If I had money, I would buy a new car.) 

Narration

In storytelling or writing, the imparfait is frequently used to set the scene and describe ongoing actions while the passé composé is used for specific events or actions that interrupted the ongoing ones.
Understanding the French imperfect tense is crucial for effective communication in French. Without it, your conversations will always live in the present!

I hope you enjoyed this article on the verb absorber. Still in a learning mood? Check out another TOTALLY random French verb imparfait conjugation!

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