Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb apiquer

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb apiquer

Get the imperfect (imparfait) tense conjugation of apiquer. 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 “apiquer” is “to apply” or “to affix.” The infinitive form is pronounced as /a.pi.ke/.

“Apiquer” originates from the Old French word “apiquer” which means “to sew” or “to prick.” It is most often used in everyday French in the imparfait tense to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past.

Here are three examples of using “apiquer” in the imparfait tense:

  1. Je lui apiquais des étoiles sur le mur.
    (I used to apply stars on the wall for him/her.)
  2. Nous apiquions des autocollants sur nos cahiers.
    (We used to affix stickers on our notebooks.)
  3. Les enfants apiquaient des timbres sur les enveloppes.
    (The children used to stick stamps on the envelopes.)

These sentences illustrate the repeated or ongoing actions of applying or affixing something in the past, denoted by the imparfait tense.

Table of the Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of apiquer

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
je appliquais J’appliquais la crème. I was applying the cream.
tu appliquais Tu appliquais du vernis. You were applying nail polish.
il appliquait Il appliquait la règle. He was applying the rule.
elle appliquait Elle appliquait le maquillage. She was applying makeup.
on appliquait On appliquait le traitement. We were applying the treatment.
nous appliquions Nous appliquions la méthode. We were applying the method.
vous appliquiez Vous appliquiez la stratégie. You were applying the strategy.
ils appliquaient Ils appliquaient les consignes. They were applying the instructions.
elles appliquaient Elles appliquaient les règles. They were applying the rules.

Other Conjugations for Apiquer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Struggling with French verbs or the language in general? Why not use our free French Grammar Checker – no registration required!

Get a FREE Download Study Sheet of this Conjugation 🔥

Simply right click the image below, click “save image” and get your free reference for the apiquer imparfait tense conjugation! 

Apiquer – 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 apiquer. Still in a learning mood? Check out another TOTALLY random French verb imparfait conjugation!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply