FYW 198 : “J’ai été” or “j’étais”? Passé composé or imparfait?

In today's episode I'm answering a question from Donovan: "Can you please give some examples of when to use j'étais versus j'ai été and when to use j'avais versus j'ai eu?  In English, we translate so many things as "was" or "had", that it's hard to understand the difference! I've tried to find material on this, but most of what I have found is not specific to avoir and être."

We'll brush up the difference between the passé composé and imparfait tenses in French and I'll illustrate with examples how sometimes the choice is only a difference of perspective.

This episode also celebrates the launch of my new eBook: "How to choose the right mood and tense in French" (French Verbs Made Easy): www.frenchyourway.com.au/frenchtenses

Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode

Quand j'étais petite, j'avais peur des loups.

Quand j'étais petite, j'ai eu peur des loups (pendant de nombreuses années. Puis j'ai eu peur des ogres.)

Son oncle a eu un accident de voiture. Heureusement, il avait sa ceinture de sécurité et n'a eu que quelques bleus.

J'ai été étudiante à l'université d'Angers.

J'étais étudiante à l'université d'Angers.

Il est fatigué ce matin car il a été malade toute la nuit.

Il n'est pas venu travailler hier car il était malade.

LINKS and RESOURCES!

Episode 47: Perfect or Imperfect ? (French verbs): frenchyourway.com.au/podcast47

my eBook: "How to choose the right mood and tense in French" (French Verbs Made Easy): frenchyourway.com.au/frenchtenses

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