6.4.2

Uses of the Imperfect

Test yourself

Uses of the Imperfect Tense

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Non-specific time

  • When the time period is not clear, and the action isn't finished you need to use the imperfect.
  • En esos años Theo vivía en un pequeño apartamento.
    • In those days Theo was living in a small apartment.
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Repetitive actions in the past

  • Todos los días comía una naranja.
    • Every day I ate an orange.
  • Almorzábamos todos los sábados.
    • We used to eat lunch every Saturday.
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Description

  • When describing people, objects and events in the past, you must use the imperfect.
  • La casa era grande.
    • The house was big.
  • Mi amiga era alta.
    • My friend was tall.
  • Aquel día hacía frío.
    • It was cold that day.
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Continuous actions that were going on when something else happened

  • Comían cuando llegó su abuelo.
    • They were eating when their grandad arrived.
  • Mi madre cocinaba cuando salí de la casa.
    • My mum was cooking when I left the house.
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Age, Time

  • Mi hermana tenía veintiún años.
    • My sister was 21 years old.
  • Eran las cinco de la tarde.
    • It was five in the afternoon.
  • Era el 12 de enero.
    • It was the 12th of January.

Jump to other topics

1The Basics

2Current & Future Study & Employment

2.1School & Subjects

2.2School & Subjects - Translations (Foundation)

2.3School & Subjects - Translations (Higher)

2.4Education Post - 16

2.5Education Post - 16 - Translations (Foundation)

2.6Education Post - 16 - Translations (Higher)

3Identity & Culture

3.1Me, My Family & Friends

3.2Me, Family & Friends - Translations (Foundation)

3.3Me, Family & Friends - Translations (Higher)

3.4Technology in Everyday Life

3.5Tech in Everyday Life - Translations (Foundation)

3.6Tech in Everyday Life - Translations (Higher)

3.7Free Time Activities

3.8Free Time Activities - Translations (Foundation)

3.9Free Time Activities - Translations (Higher)

3.10Customs & Festivals in Spanish Speaking Countries

3.11Customs & Festivals - Translations (Foundation)

3.12Customs & Festivals - Translations (Higher)

4Areas of Interest

4.1Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region

4.2Home & Region - Translations (Foundation)

4.3Home & Region - Translations (Higher)

4.4Social Issues

4.5Social Issues - Translations (Foundation)

4.6Social Issues - Translations (Higher)

4.7Global Issues

4.8Global Issues - Translations

4.9Travel & Tourism

4.10Travel & Tourism - Translations

5Listening Practice

6Common Tenses

7Important Verbs

8Advanced Tenses

9Extra Grammar

9.1Articles

9.2Negatives

9.3Nouns

9.4Asking Questions

9.5Adjectives

9.6Adverbs

9.7Conjunctions

9.8Pronouns

9.9By, With, From, Of

9.10Verbs

9.11Comparisons

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