Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb détailler

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb détailler

Get the imperfect (imparfait) tense conjugation of détailler. 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 détailler is “to detail” or “to break down.” The infinitive form, détailler, is pronounced as [de-ta-yay].

Détailler originates from the Old French verb “taillier,” meaning “to cut.” Over time, the prefix “dé-” (meaning “down” or “apart”) was added to indicate the action of breaking something down into smaller parts. Nowadays, détailler is most commonly used in everyday French to express the act of providing detailed information or explanations.

Here are three examples of détailler used in the imparfait tense, along with their English translations:

  1. Chaque semaine, il détaillait les tâches à accomplir. (Every week, he would detail the tasks to be done.)
  2. Elle nous détaillait les étapes du processus de fabrication. (She would detail the steps of the manufacturing process to us.)
  3. Nous détaillions les raisons du problème aux clients insatisfaits. (We would detail the reasons for the issue to the dissatisfied customers.)

Please note that the imparfait tense is often used to describe ongoing or habitual actions in the past, so détailler in this tense suggests a continuous or repeated action of providing detailed information.

Table of the Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of détailler

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
je détaillais Je détaillais le plan. I was detailing the plan.
tu détaillais Tu détaillais les instructions. You were detailing the instructions.
il détaillait Il détaillait le processus. He was detailing the process.
elle détaillait Elle détaillait les problèmes. She was detailing the problems.
on détaillait On détaillait les étapes. We were detailing the steps.
nous détaillions Nous détaillions les informations. We were detailing the information.
vous détailliez Vous détailliez les spécifications. You were detailing the specifications.
ils détaillaient Ils détaillaient les caractéristiques. They were detailing the features.
elles détaillaient Elles détaillaient les options. They were detailing the options.

Other Conjugations for Détailler.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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