Can't tell the difference between Preterite and Imperfect Tense?

Question

Yo trabajaba mientras mi hijo ______________. The blank is supposed to be (dormir) in either preterite form or imperfect form. Please explain your answer as well

Answer 1

I dunno. It seems like both options fit the blank

If the sleeping action is also ongoing in the past (indefinite duration) then the imperfect form of dormir is used (dormía).

If the sleeping action is momentary, short, definite duration or a starting or ending point is given (perfected) the the preterite is used. This typically occurs when the peterite action or event interrupts the background imperfect verb action.

The mientras adverb is the key in your sentence as mentioned in the answer above. If you translate it as while and use an ongoing action form of sleep (dormir) then the imperfect (dormía) is necessitated.

mientras can also be translated as when, in the meantime, meanwhile, etc. and it could be possible to have a definite duration (perfected) action occur.

Yo trabajaba mientras mi hijo se durmió.

I was working, meanwhile, my son fell asleep.

To fall asleep is an action completed in the past and must be rendered with the preterite.

I do believe that the above answer (use the imperfect) was what was intended because mientras is usually render as while and also some here will say that dormirse and dormir are different verbs, a viewpoint that I don't happen to agree with.

Without any other information, would one normally translate 'mientras' to while? Or does it have a more popular translation? - sunshinzmommie, Dec 30, 2009

Answer 2

I do believe that the above answer (use the imperfect) was what was intended because mientras is usually render as while and also some here will say that dormirse and dormir are different verbs, a viewpoint that I don't happen to agree with.

As one of those who holds an opinion with which you disagree, I believe that "dormirse" is best translated "fall/fell asleep" and "dormir" as "sleep/slept". Either can be used in conjunction with "mientras". "Yo trabajaba mientras mi hijo dormía." (I was working while my son was sleeping.") and "Mi hijo se durmió mientras yo trabajaba." (My son fell asleep while I was working.) In principle, one could reverse the order of the clauses but it sounds better (more natural{) to me as written.

Yo trabajaba mientras mi hijo se durmió.

I don't like this formulation. Perhaps Heidita will surface for a moment to offer an opinion or Nila will chime in. In my opinion it should be "Mientras yo trabajaba mi hijo se durmió." "mientras" implies duration while the use of the simple preterit suggests an "event"/moment in time.

Answer 3

The answer is in imperfect because there are two actions happening at the same time. The word 'mientras' helps you choose here

Gaining the ability to choose between the imperfect and the preterite comes with time and practice, believe me

Any more questions sweetie?

Answer 4

What do you think it is? I will tell you that this particular sentence follows a specific rule

I dunno. It seems like both options fit the blank :o - xxdulce, Dec 30, 2009

Answer 5

I dunno. It seems like both options fit in the blank.