Congujation help!

Question

Hi, I need help with this sentence here:

Ayer yo caminaba a la escuela mientras los niños leen a casa.

I understand why "caminar" is conjugated as "caminaba," but can someone explain why "leer" is "leen"?

Thanks

Answer 1

Leer/to read

here are the conjugations of "leer" or "to read". Because you are reading to "boys" it would fall under the ellos ellas ustedes form....but I am just a beginner so check the link for accuacy.

posted the link for you - Izanoni1, Feb 20, 2010

Thanks :) - mcjosh, Feb 20, 2010

Answer 2

Ayer yo caminaba a la escuela mientras los niños leen a casa

Yesterday I walked to school while the children read at home.

I would have to guess and say that caminaba refers to past actions of the writer and leen is conjugated because there has clearly been a change of subject and action within the sentence.

The way I see it, it could easily be two sentences. Ayer yo cominaba a la escuela. Los niños leen a la casa.

The word mientras allows the two sentences to flow together without the use of a period.

Answer 3

Actually it does not look correct.

The sentence looks like one where the imperfect past is supposed the set the background action while the preterite past presents an interrupting past action.

Estaba leyendo un libro cuando llamó el teléfono.

I was reading a book when the telephone rang.

Ayer yo caminé a la escuela mientras los niños leían a casa.

Yesterday I walked to school while the children were reading at home.

But even if you look at both actions as being ongoing, the past (imperfect) tense should be used. Leen is present tense.

Ayer yo caminaba a la escuela mientras los ninos leían a casa.

Yesterday I was walking to school while the children were reading at home.