French grammar
Pendant que + imparfait
Describe two things happening at the same time in the past.
From the scene Pendant qu'on dînait (While we were having dinner)
In short
Pendant que + imparfait gives the background. The other action: imparfait if ongoing, passé composé if it happened once.
Your turn
Which one goes with he was playing?
Options: il jouait · pendant qu'on dînait · pendant que vous regardiez
Show answer
he was playing → il jouait
How it works
Pendant que (while) + imparfait gives the background action: pendant qu'on dînait (while we were having dinner).
Good to know
The other action is imparfait too if it was also ongoing (le guitariste jouait), or passé composé if it happened once (le salmorejo s'est réchauffé).
while we were having dinner pendant qu'on dînait
Nuria
Pendant qu'on dînait, le guitariste jouait sans arrêt.
While we were having dinner, the guitarist played nonstop.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), le guitariste jouait sans arrêt.
Options: Pendant qu'on dînait · Il jouait · Pendant que vous regardiez
Show answer
Nuria
Pendant qu'on dînait, le guitariste jouait sans arrêt.
While we were having dinner, the guitarist played nonstop.
he was playing il jouait
Your turn
What goes with il jouait?
Options: he was playing · while we were having dinner · while you two were watching
Show answer
il jouait → he was playing
while you two were watching pendant que vous regardiez
Elena
Pendant que vous regardiez la scène, moi je regardais mon assiette.
While you two were watching the stage, I was watching my plate.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) la scène, moi je regardais mon assiette.
Options: Pendant qu'on dînait · Il jouait · Pendant que vous regardiez
Show answer
Elena
Pendant que vous regardiez la scène, moi je regardais mon assiette.
While you two were watching the stage, I was watching my plate.
while I was clapping pendant que j'applaudissais
Your turn
What goes with pendant que j'applaudissais?
Options: he was playing · while I was clapping · while we were having dinner
Show answer
pendant que j'applaudissais → while I was clapping
the salmorejo got warm le salmorejo s'est réchauffé
Nuria
Bon, pendant qu'on parlait, le salmorejo s'est réchauffé.
Well, while we were talking, the salmorejo got warm.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Bon, pendant qu'on parlait, (blank).
Options: il jouait · le salmorejo s'est réchauffé · pendant qu'on dînait
Show answer
Nuria
Bon, pendant qu'on parlait, le salmorejo s'est réchauffé.
Well, while we were talking, the salmorejo got warm.
Watch out
Don't use the passé composé for the ongoing background action — pendant qu'on a dîné, le guitariste a joué sounds like two separate finished events, not one happening during the other.
Common mistake
Not Pendant on or Durant qu'on here. While (at the same time).
Pendant qu'on dînait, le guitariste jouait sans arrêt.
While we were having dinner, the guitarist played nonstop.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| while we were having dinner | pendant qu'on dînait |
|---|---|
| he was playing | il jouait |
| while you two were watching | pendant que vous regardiez |
| while I was clapping | pendant que j'applaudissais |
| the salmorejo got warm | le salmorejo s'est réchauffé |
More lines from the story
- ElenaNormal. Pendant que vous regardiez les danseurs, j'ai demandé plus de pain.Of course. While you were watching the dancers, I ordered more bread.
- JaviQuelle chance ! Moi, je n'ai rien mangé.Lucky you! I ate nothing.
- JaviMadame Elena, vous êtes la seule à avoir vraiment dîné hier soir.Madame Elena, you're the only one who really had dinner last night.