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

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb chronométrer

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The English translation of the French verb “chronométrer” is “to time” or “to time (something).” The infinitive form “chronométrer” is pronounced as [kʁɔ.nɔ.me.tʁe].

The verb “chronométrer” comes from the combination of the Greek roots “chronos,” meaning “time,” and “metron,” meaning “measure.” It is used in everyday French to refer to the action of measuring and recording the duration of an event or activity. This verb is commonly used in sports, cooking, scientific experiments, and other situations where timing is essential.

In the Passé Simple tense (Simple Past), “chronométrer” is conjugated as follows:

  • Je chronométrai (I timed)
  • Tu chronométras (You timed)
  • Il/elle/on chronométra (He/she/one timed)
  • Nous chronométrâmes (We timed)
  • Vous chronométrâtes (You timed)
  • Ils/elles chronométrèrent (They timed)

Here are three simple examples of “chronométrer” in the Passé Simple tense, along with their English translations:

  1. J’arrivai à la ligne d’arrivée et je chronométrai le temps final.
    (I reached the finish line and timed the final time.)

  2. Tu chronométras le temps de cuisson pendant que je prépare les légumes.
    (You timed the cooking time while I prepare the vegetables.)

  3. Les scientifiques chronométrèrent la durée de l’expérience avec précision.
    (The scientists timed the duration of the experiment accurately.)

Table of the Passé Simple (Simple Past) Tense Conjugation of chronométrer

Pronoun Conjugation Short Example English Translation
Je chronométrai J’ai chronométrai la course. I timed the race.
Tu chronométras Tu chronométras ton record. You timed your record.
Il chronométra Il chronométra le saut. He timed the jump.
Elle chronométra Elle chronométra la nage. She timed the swim.
On chronométra On chronométra le match. One timed the match.
Nous chronométrâmes Nous chronométrâmes la compétition. We timed the competition.
Vous chronométrâtes Vous chronométrâtes le tournoi. You timed the tournament.
Ils chronométrèrent Ils chronométrèrent la course. They timed the race.
Elles chronométrèrent Elles chronométrèrent le saut. They (feminine) timed the jump.

Other Conjugations for Chronométrer.

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

Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer

Passé Simple (Simple Past) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb chronométrer (You’re reading it right now!)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Chronométrer – About the French Passé Simple (Simple Past) Tense

The French Passé Simple, also known as the Simple Past or Preterite, is a past tense used in written French to describe completed actions that took place at a specific point in the past.
It is not commonly used in everyday spoken language, where the Passé Composé is the preferred past tense. The Passé Simple is mainly found in literature, formal writing, and historical contexts. It has a somewhat limited use in modern French, and its conjugation can be complex.  
NOTE: To take a deep dive into all the French tenses then see our article on Mastering French Tense Conjugation.

Formation

The Passé Simple is formed by conjugating the verb according to its specific endings for regular and irregular verbs. The endings typically vary based on the verb group (i.e., -er, -ir, or -re). For example:
   – For regular -er verbs (e.g., manger, parler): Remove the -er ending and add appropriate endings, like -ai, -as, -a, -âmes, -âtes, -èrent.
   – For regular -ir verbs (e.g., finir, choisir): Remove the -ir ending and add endings like -is, -is, -it, -îmes, -îtes, -irent.
   – For regular -re verbs (e.g., vendre, attendre): Remove the -re ending and add endings like -is, -is, -it, -îmes, -îtes, -irent.

Usage

Narration

The Passé Simple is commonly used in literature to describe past events in a narrative or storytelling context.

Historical Context

It can be used in historical writing or documents to discuss events that took place in the past.
Formal Writing
In formal or academic writing, especially in essays or reports, you might encounter the Passé Simple.

Interactions with other tenses

Passé Composé

In everyday spoken French, the Passé Composé is the go-to tense for describing completed actions in the past. The Passé Simple is not commonly used in spoken language and is often replaced by the Passé Composé.

Imparfait

While the Passé Simple focuses on completed actions in the past, the Imparfait is used to describe ongoing or habitual actions in the past. They can sometimes be used together to provide a more detailed past narrative. For example, “Il lisait un livre quand il reçut un appel.” (He was reading a book when he received a call).

Conditional and Subjunctive

The Passé Simple can also be found in the conditional and subjunctive moods in formal writing. For instance, “Il faudrait qu’il partît” (He should leave, subjunctive).

Summary

The French Passé Simple is primarily used in formal or literary contexts, and its conjugation can be quite complex. In everyday spoken French, the Passé Composé is the preferred past tense for describing completed actions.

I hope you enjoyed this article on the verb chronométrer. Still in a learning mood? Check out another TOTALLY random French verb conjugation!

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