J'ai eu peur Vs. J'avais peur

Leo W.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

J'ai eu peur Vs. J'avais peur

I saw the sentence below in a test:

* J'ai eu peur que nous soyons arrivés trop tard *

Why not J'avais peur que nous soyons arrivés trop tard ?!?!

I believe it should be j'avais because we are describing how scared I was, so we should use Imparfait over passe composé !

Thank you 

Asked 4 years ago
Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Interesting point!

Consider the situation where the late arrival did not happen. One would then comment after the event that historically we feared our late arrival. (past completed action) the fear no longer exists.

Before the event then the fear is enduring that the late arrival may occur. Perhaps we would then need to write nous avons peur que ..... (present or enduring at that time fear)

Does this offer make sense?

Leo W.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Tnx Jim ;)

J'ai eu peur Vs. J'avais peur

I saw the sentence below in a test:

* J'ai eu peur que nous soyons arrivés trop tard *

Why not J'avais peur que nous soyons arrivés trop tard ?!?!

I believe it should be j'avais because we are describing how scared I was, so we should use Imparfait over passe composé !

Thank you 

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