Question 1

Why does the French use the imperfect (cherchions) instead of a past perfect tense for "had been looking"?

Accepted Answer

In French, when an action started in the past and was still ongoing at a specific past reference point, you use the imperfect tense with depuis. English uses the past perfect continuous ("had been looking"), but French treats it as an ongoing past state.

Question 2

Why translate "for months" with depuis instead of pendant or pour?

Accepted Answer

Depuis connects a starting point to an ongoing timeframe. Because they were still looking at that moment in the past, you must use depuis. You would use pendant if the search was completely over and viewed as a finished block of time, and pour is generally reserved for future intended durations.

Question 3

Why isn't there a word for "for" right after the verb, like cherchions pour un arrangement?

Accepted Answer

The verb chercher inherently means "to look for" or "to search for". It takes a direct object, so adding a preposition like pour after it is a common mistake for English speakers. You simply say chercher un arrangement.

Question 4

In this context, does arrangement only mean "arrangement"?

Accepted Answer

While it often translates directly as "arrangement," in business, legal, or dispute contexts it frequently means "a settlement" or "a compromise." The sentence implies two parties were trying to formally resolve a conflict.

Nous cherchions un arrangement depuis des mois.

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