Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb chronométrer

Get the imperfect (imparfait) tense conjugation of chronométrer. 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 “chronométrer” is “to time” or “to measure the time.” The pronunciation of the infinitive form “chronométrer” is [kʁɔ.nɔ.me.tʁe].

The word “chronométrer” has originated from the combination of the Greek word “khronos” meaning “time” and the French word “métrer” meaning “to measure.” It is most often used in everyday French to indicate the action of timing or measuring the duration of an event or an activity.

Examples of its usage in the imparfait tense:

  1. Nous chronométrions chaque tour de piste pendant l’entraînement.
    (We used to time each lap during the training.)

  2. Pendant nos expériences, nous chronométrions la réaction chimique toutes les dix secondes.
    (During our experiments, we would time the chemical reaction every ten seconds.)

  3. Chaque matin, je chronométrais combien de temps je mettais pour me préparer.
    (Every morning, I used to time how long it took me to get ready.)

English translations:

  1. We used to time each lap during the training.
  2. During our experiments, we would time the chemical reaction every ten seconds.
  3. Every morning, I used to time how long it took me to get ready.

Table of the Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of chronométrer

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
je chronométrais Je chronométrais la course. I was timing the race.
tu chronométrais Tu chronométrais chaque tour. You were timing each lap.
il chronométrait Il chronométrait les concurrents. He was timing the competitors.
elle chronométrait Elle chronométrait les performances. She was timing the performances.
on chronométrait On chronométrait les épreuves. We were timing the events.
nous chronométrions Nous chronométrions les étapes. We were timing the stages.
vous chronométriez Vous chronométriez les équipes. You were timing the teams.
ils chronométraient Ils chronométraient les records. They were timing the records.
elles chronométraient Elles chronométraient les essais. They were timing the trials.

Other Conjugations for Chronométrer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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