The verb form "faisait" is in the Imperfect tense (l'imparfait) in French.
This tense is used to describe ongoing, habitual, or repeated actions in the past, as well as to describe states or conditions that existed in the past. It often translates to "was doing," "used to do," or "would do" in English.
Conjugation of "Faire" in the Imperfect Tense
"Faisait" comes from the verb faire (to do, to make), which is a common and irregular verb in French. The table below illustrates its conjugation in the present and imperfect tenses, highlighting "faisait":
| Pronoun | Present Tense | Imperfect Tense |
|---|---|---|
| je | fais | faisais |
| tu | fais | faisais |
| il/elle/on | fait | faisait |
| nous | faisons | faisions |
| vous | faites | faisiez |
| ils/elles | font | faisaient |
Source: Lawless French - Faire Conjugations
When to Use "Faisait" (Imperfect Tense)
The imperfect tense, including "faisait," is typically used in the following contexts:
- To describe habitual actions in the past:
- Chaque jour, il faisait du sport. (Every day, he used to do sports.)
- To describe ongoing actions or states in the past:
- Quand il est arrivé, il faisait froid. (When he arrived, it was cold.)
- Il faisait ses devoirs quand le téléphone a sonné. (He was doing his homework when the phone rang.)
- To set the scene or describe background information in a narrative:
- Le soleil faisait briller la mer, et les oiseaux chantaient. (The sun made the sea shine, and the birds were singing.)
- To express simultaneous actions in the past:
- Pendant que je lisais, elle faisait la cuisine. (While I was reading, she was doing the cooking.)
Understanding the imperfect tense is crucial for constructing nuanced descriptions and narratives in French, distinguishing ongoing or habitual past actions from single, completed past actions (which typically use the passé composé).
