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

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb compléter

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The English translation of the French verb compléter is “to complete.” It is pronounced as “kohm-pleh-teh” in the infinitive form.

The language origin of compléter can be traced back to the Latin word “complere,” which means “to fill up.” In everyday French, it is commonly used in the Subjonctif Imparfait tense to express a hypothetical or uncertain action in the past. This tense is formed by using the present subjunctive of the auxiliary verb “avoir” or “être” followed by the past participle of the main verb.

Examples of compléter in the Subjonctif Imparfait tense are:

  1. Il fallait que je complétasse mes études pour obtenir mon diplôme. (I needed to complete my studies to get my degree.)
  2. Elle souhaitait que nous complétassions le projet avant la fin de la semaine. (She wanted us to complete the project before the end of the week.)
  3. Il était important que vous complétiez les formalités avant de partir en vacances. (It was important for you to complete the formalities before going on vacation.)

English translations:

  1. It was necessary for me to complete my studies to obtain my degree.
  2. She wished for us to complete the project before the end of the week.
  3. It was important for you to complete the formalities before going on vacation.

Table of the Subjonctif Imparfait (Subjunctive Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of compléter

Pronoun Conjugation Example Usage English Translation
je complétasse Je complétasse mes devoirs avant de sortir. I would complete my homework before going out.
tu complétasses Si tu complétasses ta tâche, tu serais récompensé. If you completed your task, you would be rewarded.
il complétât Il serait heureux si il complétât sa mission. He would be happy if he completed his mission.
elle complétât Elle serait soulagée si elle complétât ses obligations. She would be relieved if she completed her obligations.
on complétât Si on complétât tous les exercices, on obtiendrait une bonne note. If one completed all the exercises, one would get a good grade.
nous complétassions Si nous complétassions cet exercice ensemble, nous aurions plus de temps pour le prochain. If we completed this exercise together, we would have more time for the next one.
vous complétassiez Si vous complétassiez le formulaire, vous pourriez participer au concours. If you completed the form, you could participate in the contest.
ils complétassent S’ils complétassent le projet à temps, ils pourraient partir en vacances plus tôt. If they completed the project on time, they could leave for vacation earlier.
elles complétassent Si elles complétassent leurs tâches ménagères, elles pourraient se détendre après. If they completed their household chores, they could relax afterwards.

Other Conjugations for Compléter.

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

    Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb compléter
   

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Subjonctif Imparfait (Subjunctive Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb compléter (this article)

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

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

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

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

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

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Compléter – About the French Subjonctif Imparfait (Subjunctive Imperfect) Tense

The French Subjonctif Imparfait, also known as the imperfect subjunctive, is a verb tense used to express actions, states, or conditions that are uncertain, subjective, or hypothetical in the past. It is used in a variety of situations, including wishes, doubts, emotions, and polite requests, and often occurs in dependent clauses following certain expressions and conjunctions.

NOTE: To take a deep dive into all the French tenses then see my article on Mastering French Tense Conjugation.

Formation

To form the Subjonctif Imparfait, you typically start with the third person plural (ils/elles) form of the verb in the imparfait (imperfect) tense. Then, you remove the -ent ending and add the appropriate endings:

– For regular -er verbs: je -sse, tu -sses, il/elle/on -t, nous -ssions, vous -ssiez, ils/elles -ssent.
– For regular -ir and -re verbs: je -sse, tu -sses, il/elle/on -t, nous -ssions, vous -ssiez, ils/elles -ssent.

Common Everyday Usage Patterns

1. Expressing Doubt or Uncertainty: The Subjonctif Imparfait is used to express doubt or uncertainty about something that happened in the past.

Example: Il doutait qu’elle vînt à la fête. (He doubted that she came to the party.)

2. Wishes and Desires: It is used to express wishes or desires in the past.

Example: J’aurais aimé que tu fusses là. (I would have liked you to be there.)

3. Hypothetical Scenarios: The Subjonctif Imparfait is employed in hypothetical situations in the past.

Example: Si j’eusse su, j’aurais agi différemment. (If I had known, I would have acted differently.)
4. Polite Requests and Suggestions: It is used to make polite requests and suggestions in a formal or polite tone.

Example: Il souhaitait que vous vinssiez lui rendre visite. (He wished that you would come to visit him.)

Interactions with Other Tenses

Subjonctif Présent

The Subjonctif Imparfait is often used in dependent clauses with the Subjonctif Présent in the main clause, especially in complex sentences.

Example: Il faut que tu manges bien pour que tu aies de l’énergie. (You need to eat well so that you have energy.)

Indicatif Passé Composé

The Subjonctif Imparfait can be used alongside the Indicatif Passé Composé to indicate a contrast between a factual event and a hypothetical one.

Example: Il est parti avant que tu ne fusses arrivé. (He left before you arrived.)

Conditional

The Subjonctif Imparfait is often used with the Conditional to express unreal or hypothetical situations in the past.

Example: J’aurais pu le faire si j’eusse eu plus de temps. (I could have done it if I had had more time.)

Conditional Perfect

It can also be used with the Conditional Perfect to express unreal or hypothetical past events that would have occurred before other past events.

Example: J’aurais su s’il eût partagé l’information. (I would have known if he had shared the information.)

Summary

The Subjonctif Imparfait is a relatively complex tense, and its usage depends on the context and the verbs involved. It is essential to practice and become familiar with common expressions and contexts where this tense is appropriate to use it effectively in everyday French communication.

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

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