Le camion a heurt l'arbre. Il a mang une groseille. She kicked the ball. The truck hit the tree. He ate a redcurrant.
Some activities occur in the background and are continuous.
Pierre dove into the cold water and swam to the boat even though t he sea was violent and the waves pounded the shore. The imperfect is used in expressing enduring qualities or characteristics. Le bateau tait en bois blanc. The boat was white and wooden. It was a fishing boat.