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

ByMichael Burns

Introduction to the verb controverser

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The English translation of the French verb controverser is “to argue” or “to dispute.” It is pronounced as “kon-tro-ver-zey” in its infinitive form.

Controverser comes from the Latin word “controversia,” meaning “dispute” or “controversy.” It entered the French language in the 14th century and has been used in everyday language ever since.

In the Subjonctif Imparfait tense, controverser is used to express a hypothetical or subjective action in the past. It is often used in formal or academic contexts when discussing controversial topics or ideas.

Example 1: Il fallait qu’il controversât ses idées avec ses collègues.
Translation: He had to argue his ideas with his colleagues.

Example 2: Nous ne pensions pas que vous controversiez ces décisions.
Translation: We didn’t think you were disputing these decisions.

Example 3: J’aimais qu’ils controversassent les opinions des autres.
Translation: I enjoyed that they were debating other people’s opinions.

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

Pronoun Conjugation Example Usage English Translation
je controversasse Si j’étais philosophe, je controversasse les idées reçues. If I were a philosopher, I would debate received ideas.
tu controversasses Si tu te renseignes mieux, tu controversasses moins. If you informed yourself better, you would debate less.
il controversât J’aimerais que il controversât mes opinions. I would like him to debate my opinions.
elle controversât Elle serait émue si elle controversât sa propre théorie. She would be moved if she debated her own theory.
on controversât Si on controversât plus, on serait plus cultivé. If one debated more, one would be more cultured.
nous controversassions Si nous controversassions ensemble, nous apprendrions plus. If we debated together, we would learn more.
vous controversassiez Si vous controversassiez moins, vous seriez moins en désaccord. If you debated less, you would disagree less.
ils controversassent S’ils controversassent plus, ils seraient plus informés. If they debated more, they would be more informed.
elles controversassent Si elles controversassent ensemble, elles seraient plus tolérantes. If they debated together, they would be more tolerant.

Other Conjugations for Controverser.

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

    Imparfait (Imperfect) Tense Conjugation of the French Verb controverser
   

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Struggling with French verbs or the language in general? Why not use our free French Grammar Checker – no registration required!
   

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Controverser – 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 controverser. Still in a learning mood? Check out another TOTALLY random French verb conjugation!

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