Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb dératiser

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb dératiser

Get the imperfect (imparfait) tense conjugation of dératiser. 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 dératiser is “to rat-proof” or “to exterminate rats”. The pronunciation of the infinitive form dératiser is [de-ra-tee-zey].

The word dératiser is derived from the noun “rat” (rat) and the suffix “-iser”, which is commonly used in French to create verbs from nouns. It refers to the action of eliminating or getting rid of rats, typically by using traps, poison, or other methods.

In everyday French, dératiser in the imparfait tense is often used to describe a past ongoing action or state related to rat control or rat extermination. Here are three examples of its usage in the imparfait tense with their respective English translations:

  1. Nous dératisions notre grenier chaque année.
    (We used to rat-proof our attic every year.)

  2. Tu dératisais ta cave régulièrement.
    (You used to exterminate rats in your cellar regularly.)

  3. Ils dératisaient les égouts de la ville pendant des semaines.
    (They were rat-proofing the city sewers for weeks.)

Table of the Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of dératiser

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
je dératisais Je dératisais ma maison. I was rat exterminating my house.
tu dératisais Tu dératisais ton jardin. You were rat exterminating your garden.
il dératisait Il dératisait l’immeuble. He was rat exterminating the building.
elle dératisait Elle dératisait la cave. She was rat exterminating the basement.
on dératisait On dératisait la bibliothèque. We were rat exterminating the library.
nous dératisions Nous dératisions la cour. We were rat exterminating the courtyard.
vous dératisiez Vous dératisiez votre entrepôt. You were rat exterminating your warehouse.
ils dératisaient Ils dératisaient leur grenier. They were rat exterminating their attic.
elles dératisaient Elles dératisaient leur jardin. They were rat exterminating their garden.

Other Conjugations for Dératiser.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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