Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb détoner

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb détoner

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The English translation of the French verb “détoner” is “to detonate.” The infinitive form “détoner” is pronounced as “day-toh-nay.”

The word “détoner” originates from the Latin term “detonare,” which means “to thunder down.” In everyday French, it is commonly used to refer to explosive or sudden reactions, both literally and figuratively. In the imparfait tense, it describes ongoing or repeated actions in the past.

Examples of détoner in the imparfait tense:

  1. Quand j’étais jeune, les feux d’artifice détonaient tous les soirs en été.
    (When I was young, fireworks would detonate every evening in summer.)

  2. Les tensions entre les deux pays détonaient régulièrement avant l’accord de paix.
    (Tensions between the two countries would regularly detonate before the peace agreement.)

  3. Chaque fois qu’il entrait dans la pièce, sa présence détonait, attirant tous les regards.
    (Every time he entered the room, his presence would detonate, attracting all the attention.)

English translations:

  1. When I was young, fireworks would detonate every evening in summer.
  2. Tensions between the two countries would regularly detonate before the peace agreement.
  3. Every time he entered the room, his presence would detonate, attracting all the attention.

Table of the Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of détoner

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
je détonais Je détonais dans la foule. I stood out in the crowd.
tu détonais Tu détonais avec ton style. You stood out with your style.
il détonait Il détonait avec sa personnalité. He stood out with his personality.
elle détonait Elle détonait dans sa tenue. She stood out in her outfit.
on détonait On détonait parmi les autres. We stood out among the others.
nous détonions Nous détonions dans la salle. We stood out in the room.
vous détoniez Vous détoniez avec votre voix. You stood out with your voice.
ils détonaient Ils détonaient avec leur énergie. They stood out with their energy.
elles détonaient Elles détonaient avec leur talent. They stood out with their talent.

Other Conjugations for Détoner.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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