Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb détaler

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb détaler

Get the imperfect (imparfait) tense conjugation of détaler. 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 “détaler” is “to bolt” or “to run away.” The infinitive form, “détaler,” is pronounced as [deh-tah-lay].

The word “détaler” originates from the Old French word “estaler,” which meant “to leave a place quickly.” Over time, the “e” changed to “é,” and the verb became “détaler.” It is commonly used in everyday French to express the action of running away suddenly or escaping from a situation.

In the imparfait tense, “détaler” is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past. Here are three simple examples of its usage in the imparfait tense along with their English translations:

  1. Quand j’étais enfant, je détallais à chaque fois que ma mère me demandait de ranger ma chambre.
    (When I was a child, I would bolt every time my mother asked me to tidy up my room.)

  2. Les voleurs détalaient dès qu’ils entendaient la sirène de la police.
    (The thieves would run away as soon as they heard the police siren.)

  3. Pendant la récréation, les enfants détalaient dans la cour de l’école pour jouer.
    (During recess, the children would bolt in the schoolyard to play.)

Table of the Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of détaler

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
je détallais Je détallais rapidement. I was running away quickly.
tu détallais Tu détallais souvent. You were running away often.
il détallait Il détallait en silence. He was running away silently.
elle détallait Elle détallait sans bruit. She was running away quietly.
on détallait On détallait discrètement. We were running away discreetly.
nous détallions Nous détallions ensemble. We were running away together.
vous détalliez Vous détalliez rapidement. You were running away quickly.
ils détallaient Ils détallaient en panique. They were running away in panic.
elles détallaient Elles détallaient dans la nuit. They were running away in the night.

Other Conjugations for Détaler.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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