Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb caracoler

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb caracoler

Get the imperfect (imparfait) tense conjugation of caracoler. 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 “caracoler” is “to prance” or “to gallop.” The infinitive form “caracoler” is pronounced as “ka-ra-ko-leh.”

The word “caracoler” comes from the noun “caracole,” which originally referred to a movement of a horse when it rears up and then jumps forward. It originated from the Italian word “caracolla” and entered the French language in the 16th century.

In everyday French, the verb “caracoler” is most often used in the imparfait tense to describe past actions or states that were ongoing or repeated in the past. It can also convey a sense of nostalgia or set the scene in storytelling.

Here are three examples of “caracoler” used in the imparfait tense:

  1. Pendant notre promenade, les chevaux caracolaient joyeusement dans le pré.
    Translation: During our walk, the horses were prancing happily in the meadow.

  2. Quand j’étais enfant, je rêvais de caracoler sur un cheval blanc.
    Translation: When I was a child, I used to dream of prancing on a white horse.

  3. Chaque fois qu’elle montait à cheval, elle caracolait avec grâce et élégance.
    Translation: Every time she rode a horse, she would prance with grace and elegance.

Note: The imparfait tense is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, often with no specific beginning or end.

Table of the Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of caracoler

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
je caracolais Je caracolais dans la prairie. I was cantering in the meadow.
tu caracolais Tu caracolais avec élégance. You were cantering with elegance.
il caracolait Il caracolait fièrement. He was cantering proudly.
elle caracolait Elle caracolait gracieusement. She was cantering gracefully.
on caracolait On caracolait joyeusement. We were cantering happily.
nous caracolions Nous caracolions ensemble. We were cantering together.
vous caracoliez Vous caracoliez avec assurance. You were cantering confidently.
ils caracolaient Ils caracolaient rapidement. They were cantering quickly.
elles caracolaient Elles caracolaient légèrement. They were cantering lightly.

Other Conjugations for Caracoler.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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