Présentais

Présentais is a French verb form that belongs to the imperfect (imparfait) tense of the verb présenter, meaning “to present.” The form can correspond to je présentais or tu présentais, since the imperfect endings -ais apply to both first and second person singular. The exact subject is determined by the surrounding context.

Formation and usage. To form the imparfait for présenter, take the present verb stem présent- and add the imparfait endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient. Thus: je présentais, tu présentais, il présentait, nous présentions, vous présentiez, ils présentaient. The imperfect describes actions in the past that were ongoing, repeated, habitual, or used as background information. It often sets scene or describes a past situation rather than a single completed event.

Examples. Je présentais mes recherches chaque semaine devant le comité. (I was presenting my research each week in front of the committee.) Hier soir, je présentais mon projet quand le téléphone a sonné. (Yesterday evening I was presenting my project when the phone rang.) In contrast with the passé composé, which marks completed past actions, the imparfait, including présentais, emphasizes continuity or repetition.

Relation to other tenses. Présentais should not be confused with the present tense présentons or présente, which describe current actions. It also contrasts with the passé composé or plus-que-parfait, which express completed past actions or past experiences. The form is regular for -er verbs in the imperfect, aligning with many other common verbs in French.