Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb bachoter

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb bachoter

Get the imperfect (imparfait) tense conjugation of bachoter. 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 “bachoter” is “to cram” or “to swot.” The infinitive form is pronounced as “bah-sho-tay.”

The word “bachoter” originates from the word “bachot,” which refers to an examination certificate. It first appeared in the 19th century and is derived from the term “bachoter son bachot,” meaning “to study intensively for an exam.” In everyday French, “bachoter” is commonly used to describe the act of studying intensely and cramming for an exam or test.

Here are three simple examples of how “bachoter” is used in the imparfait tense, along with their English translations:

  1. Quand j’étais étudiant, je bachotais tous les soirs pour mes examens.
    (When I was a student, I used to cram every night for my exams.)

  2. Tu bachotais beaucoup avant les contrôles, n’est-ce pas?
    (You used to cram a lot before tests, didn’t you?)

  3. Mes amis et moi, nous bachotions ensemble pour les épreuves finales.
    (My friends and I used to cram together for the final exams.)

In all these examples, the verb “bachoter” is used in the imparfait tense to describe a habitual or ongoing action in the past.

Table of the Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of bachoter

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
je bachelotais Je bachelotais tous les jours. I used to study for exams every day.
tu bachelotais Tu bachelotais avec tes amis. You used to study for exams with your friends.
il bachelotait Il bachelotait à la bibliothèque. He used to study for exams at the library.
elle bachelotait Elle bachelotait toute la nuit. She used to study for exams all night.
on bachelotait On bachelotait intensément. We used to study for exams intensively.
nous bachelotions Nous bachelotions pour réussir. We used to study for exams to succeed.
vous bachelotiez Vous bachelotiez efficacement. You used to study for exams efficiently.
ils bachelotaient Ils bachelotaient ensemble. They used to study for exams together.
elles bachelotaient Elles bachelotaient dans le parc. They used to study for exams in the park.

Other Conjugations for Bachoter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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