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Imperfect Verbs with Spelling Changes

Only two categories of verbs with spelling changes need a closer look in the imperfect:

  • For verbs ending in -cer, change c to ç before the a to keep the soft c (s) sound. This change occurs only inside the shoe.

    • j'avançais

    • tu avançais

    • il/elle avançait

    • nous avancions

    • vous avanciez

    • ils avançaient

  • For verbs ending in -ger, insert a silent e between g and a to keep the soft g (zh) sound. This change occurs only inside the shoe.

    • je nageais

    • tu nageais

    • il/elle nageait

    • nous nagions

    • vous nagiez

    • ils nageaient

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