Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb baser

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb baser

Get the imperfect (imparfait) tense conjugation of baser. 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 “baser” is “to base.” The pronunciation of the infinitive form “baser” is [ba-zey].

The word “baser” originates from the Old French word “basser,” which means “to lower” or “to put down.” It comes from the Latin word “bassis,” which also means “to lower.” In everyday French, “baser” is used to indicate the action of establishing something as a foundation or using something as a basis.

Examples of “baser” in the imparfait tense:

  1. Nous basions notre stratégie sur des données fiables.
    (We were basing our strategy on reliable data.)

  2. Tu basais tes idées sur ses conseils.
    (You used to base your ideas on his advice.)

  3. Ils basaient leur argumentation sur des faits indéniables.
    (They were basing their argumentation on undeniable facts.)

Please note that the translations provided are not literal and aim to convey the meaning of the sentences in English.

Table of the Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of baser

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
je basais Je basais mes décisions sur les faits. I based my decisions on facts.
tu basais Tu basais ton opinion sur des rumeurs. You based your opinion on rumors.
il basait Il basait son travail sur des recherches approfondies. He based his work on thorough research.
elle basait Elle basait sa confiance sur des expériences passées. She based her trust on past experiences.
on basait On basait nos choix sur des critères spécifiques. We based our choices on specific criteria.
nous basions Nous basions notre stratégie sur des données fiables. We based our strategy on reliable data.
vous basiez Vous basiez votre argumentation sur des faits concrets. You based your argumentation on concrete facts.
ils basaient Ils basaient leurs conclusions sur des observations précises. They based their conclusions on precise observations.
elles basaient Elles basaient leur décision sur des informations vérifiées. They based their decision on verified information.

Other Conjugations for Baser.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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