DELF B1 grammar: tell a story and explain your choice
Use the two main past tenses, compare options and give a reason.
By the Worlex teamUpdated September 26, 2026
In short
6 words and phrases with examples, and a 3-question quiz.
On this page
Tell the story
01
imparfait: the background
Describe what things were like or what was already happening.
Il pleuvait et la rue était vide.It was raining and the street was empty.
More examples
Quand j’étais étudiant, je prenais le bus tous les jours.When I was a student, I used to take the bus every day.
Nous attendions devant la gare.We were waiting outside the station.
Take the present nous form, remove -ons, then add -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient. Nous parlons → je parlais (we speak → I was speaking). Être uses ét-.
02
passé composé: what happened
Present an event or a completed stretch of time as a whole.
Le bus est arrivé à huit heures.The bus arrived at eight.
More examples
J’ai attendu une heure, puis je suis parti.I waited for an hour, then I left.
Nous avons travaillé sur ce projet pendant six mois.We worked on this project for six months.
A long action can also be completed: j’ai travaillé toute la nuit = I worked all night.
03
background + event
Use both tenses when an event happens during an ongoing situation.
Je préparais le dîner quand le téléphone a sonné.I was making dinner when the phone rang.
More examples
Nous visitions le musée quand Léa nous a appelés.We were visiting the museum when Léa called us.
Il faisait froid, alors nous sommes entrés dans un café.It was cold, so we went into a café.
Do not choose a tense just because you see hier or pendant. Ask what the sentence is showing.
Compare and explain
04
plus / moins / aussi … que
More, less or as … as: compare two things.
Le train est plus rapide que le bus.The train is faster than the bus.
More examples
Cette chambre est moins chère que l’autre.This room is cheaper than the other one.
Ce quartier est aussi calme que le nôtre.This neighbourhood is as quiet as ours.
Put the adjective between the two parts. Bon becomes meilleur when you mean better.
05
parce que / comme
Give the reason for an action or choice.
J’ai choisi le train parce que je pouvais travailler pendant le trajet.I chose the train because I could work during the journey.
More examples
Comme le musée était fermé, nous sommes allés au parc.As the museum was closed, we went to the park.
Nous sommes restés chez nous parce qu’il pleuvait.We stayed at home because it was raining.
Parce que can follow the result. In this causal pattern, comme comes at the start.
06
donc / c’est pourquoi
Show the result: so; that is why.
Le bus était complet, donc nous avons attendu le suivant.The bus was full, so we waited for the next one.
More examples
Le trajet est trop long. C’est pourquoi je cherche un logement plus proche.The commute is too long. That’s why I’m looking for somewhere closer to live.
Elle finit à dix-huit heures, donc nous nous retrouvons à dix-neuf heures.She finishes at six, so we’re meeting at seven.
Say the reason first, then the result. Donc and c’est pourquoi introduce the result.
Quick practice
Try it yourself
Choose an answer, then check it.
Question 1 of 3
You are describing what was already happening when the phone rang. Which beginning fits?
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Now make it yours
Tell someone about a travel plan that changed.
Set the scene with the imparfait.
Say what happened with the passé composé.
Explain the new choice.
See one possible answer
Il pleuvait et nous attendions le bus.It was raining and we were waiting for the bus.
Le conducteur nous a annoncé une panne.The driver told us there was a breakdown.
Nous avons donc pris le métro, parce que c’était plus rapide que de marcher.So we took the metro, because it was faster than walking.
When is your exam?
Enter the date to see how many weeks you have. Save it and it stays in your account.
Use this in a lesson
Read the examplesRead together, then hide the English for recall.
Work in pairsOne learner gives the background. A partner adds an unexpected event. Together, explain the result without changing who did what.
Check togetherCompare answers and discuss why they fit.
