Using past tenses in conversation
I know there have been many threads regarding the use of the Imperfecto and Indefinido past tenses. I can usually work out when to use which one if I am doing a written exercise as it is there in front of me and I have time to sort it out. However, conversation is a big problem. Does anyone have a quick "check list" to keep in your head while talking to help you decide which of these two past tenses to use please?
2 Answers
Thank you to Luhzon for this expanation. The quick reference verb book I have gives Present, Future, Perfect and Preterite. I therefore assumed that Preterite would be used more often than Imperfecto. Looking at your example sentence I can see what the differences are - I had already got age and weather firmly stuck in my head!
In class we learnt Preterite before Imperfecto but then I always thought it would be helpful to study the Imperativo at the same time as the Present. That would explain for example the difference between "You run" and "Run!"
I would say that verbal communication is the most difficult for those learning another language. Mostly because you do not have all the time you need to try to figure out what you want to say, as opposed to writing. The most important trick to the distinction between preterit and imperfect is to think about what is happening in your conversation. The main detail, the action, or the event is what will be said in the preterit. The rest, mostly background information, will be the imperfect.
- We were skiing when we saw a bear. In this instance, "we saw" is the only verb that will be in the preterit. Any other details to describe the skiing trip will be imperfect. My suggestion would be to remember that there many instances in which the imperfect is used, and fewer that require the preterit.
- Other items that use imperfect always are age (tenía tres años) and weather (hacía sol...) I hope this is helpful.
