Le plus-que-parfait Flashcards

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1
Q

Usage

A

 Action before a certain point in the past

We always use the plus-que-parfait when we are telling a story set in the past and then look further back at an action that took place earlier

Example: Elle avait beaucoup travaillé avant de pouvoir jouer le morceau parfaitement

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2
Q

Construction

A

We need the imparfait forms of être/avoir and the past participle (participe passé).

Example:
J’avais rigolé. → Je n’avais pas rigolé.
J’étais parti.→ Je n’étais pas parti.

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3
Q

Constructing the negative

A

In negative sentences, the past participle comes after the second part of the negation (same as for passe compose).

Examples:
J’avais rigolé. → Je n’avais pas rigolé.
J’étais parti.→ Je n’étais pas parti.

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4
Q

Construction for reflexive verbs

A

For reflexive verbs, we put the reflexive pronoun and the auxiliary verb between the two parts of the negation (same as for passe compose)

Example:
Je ne m’étais pas trompé dans mon calcul.

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5
Q

Translate:

Clement had travelled by plane.

A

Clément avait voyagé en avion.

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6
Q

Translate:

Melanie and Lea had bought a gift.

A

Mélanie et Léa avaient acheté un cadeau.

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7
Q

Translate:

We had come for Christmas.

A

Nous étions venus pour Noël.

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8
Q

Translate:

Had you come into the house?

A

Est-ce que vous étiez entrés dans la maison?

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9
Q

Translate:

Had you remembered him?

A

Est-ce que tu t’étais souvenu de lui

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10
Q

Translate:

Madeleine et Guillaume avaient choisi ce chien.

A

Madeleine and Guillaume had chosen this dog.

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11
Q

Translate:

Patricia était restée chez Jean.

A

Patricia had stayed at Jean’s place.

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12
Q

Translate:

I had received an email.

A

J’avais reçu un e-mail.

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13
Q

Translate:

Had you already seen that film?

A

Est-ce que tu avais déjà vu ce film?

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14
Q

Translate:

Had Chris already finished when you arrived? (3 ways to ask a question)

A

Chris avait fini quand vous êtes arrivés ?
Est-ce qu Chris avait fini quand vous êtes arrivés ?
Chris avait-il fini quand vous êtes arrivés ?

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15
Q

It had been an eternity (that makes an eternity) that I had not seen him

A

ça faisait une éternité que je ne l’avais pas vu

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