Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb déstructurer

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb déstructurer

Get the imperfect (imparfait) tense conjugation of déstructurer. 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 “déstructurer” is “to destructure.” The pronunciation of the infinitive form “déstructurer” is: day-struck-tyuh-ray.

The word “déstructurer” comes from the French root “structure” and the prefix “dé-” which indicates negation or reversal. In everyday French, “déstructurer” is commonly used in the imparfait tense to convey the idea of breaking down or destabilizing a structure, system, or organization.

Examples of its usage in the imparfait tense with their respective English translations:

  1. Quand j’étais jeune, je déstructurais constamment mes jouets.
    (When I was young, I would constantly break down my toys.)

  2. Les protestations déstructuraient la société à petit feu.
    (The protests were gradually destabilizing society.)

  3. Pendant la réunion, le chef de projet déstructurait les plans établis.
    (During the meeting, the project manager was deconstructing the established plans.)

Please note that these translations provide the general meaning, but the context may require specific adaptations.

Table of the Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of déstructurer

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
je déstructurais Je déstructurais le plan. I was deconstructing the plan.
tu déstructurais Tu déstructurais l’organisation. You were deconstructing the organization.
il déstructurait Il déstructurait le système. He was deconstructing the system.
elle déstructurait Elle déstructurait sa routine. She was deconstructing her routine.
on déstructurait On déstructurait les règles. We were deconstructing the rules.
nous déstructurions Nous déstructurions le discours. We were deconstructing the speech.
vous déstructuriez Vous déstructuriez le concept. You were deconstructing the concept.
ils déstructuraient Ils déstructuraient le modèle. They were deconstructing the model.
elles déstructuraient Elles déstructuraient le projet. They were deconstructing the project.

Other Conjugations for Déstructurer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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