Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb calibrer

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb calibrer

Get the imperfect (imparfait) tense conjugation of calibrer. 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 “calibrer” is “to calibrate.” The pronunciation of the infinitive form “calibrer” is [ka-lee-bray].

The word “calibrer” originates from the Latin word “calibrare,” meaning “to measure accurately.” In everyday French, “calibrer” is used to refer to the action of adjusting or setting a device, instrument, or machine to a specific standard or measurement.

In the imparfait tense, “calibrer” is most often used to describe past habitual or ongoing actions. Here are three simple examples of its usage in the imparfait tense, along with their respective English translations:

  1. Je calibrais régulièrement ma balance de cuisine. (I used to regularly calibrate my kitchen scale.)
  2. Tu calibrais les instruments de musique avant chaque représentation. (You used to calibrate the musical instruments before each performance.)
  3. Il calibrait son thermomètre tous les mois. (He used to calibrate his thermometer every month.)

Note: The English translations provided are in the simple past tense, as the imparfait tense does not have a direct equivalent in English.

Table of the Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of calibrer

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
je calibrais Je calibrais l’appareil. I was calibrating the device.
tu calibrais Tu calibrais la balance. You were calibrating the scale.
il calibrait Il calibrait le thermomètre. He was calibrating the thermometer.
elle calibrait Elle calibrait la machine. She was calibrating the machine.
on calibrait On calibrait les instruments. We were calibrating the instruments.
nous calibrions Nous calibrions les outils. We were calibrating the tools.
vous calibriez Vous calibriez le matériel. You were calibrating the equipment.
ils calibraient Ils calibraient les sondes. They were calibrating the probes.
elles calibraient Elles calibraient les machines. They were calibrating the machines.

Other Conjugations for Calibrer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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