Should I use Preterite or Imperfect?

Question

We used to play a lot of baseball when we were young. I think it would be Jugábamos al béisbol cuando fuimos jóvenes, but I was not sure if it would be fuimos or éramos. Help please and thank you =]

Answer 1

You should use "éramos" because it was a past action that happened with no time frame. Hope this helps. I am sure the gurus will weigh in soon.

Gracias! - noahm2011, Jan 5, 2010

De nada. :) - Jason7R, Jan 5, 2010

Answer 2

I believe "when I was young" is regarded as an ongoing action so you would use the imperfect tense.

Answer 3

I am with "Jason7R" on this -- use éramos".

However your Spanish translation does not sound correct to my ears.

You wrote:

Jugábamos al béisbol cuando fuimos jóvenes

I would say:

"Jugábamos mucho béisbol cuando éramos jóvenes."

I would also agree with you Daniel for the taking out of "al" and the putting in of "mucho". :) - Jason7R, Jan 5, 2010