What does it mean when "verbs are preterit by nature"?

Question

For example, salir is a verb that is preterit by nature, however, can it also be conjugated/ used in the imperfect indicative tense? If so, what would it translate to? Please help! Thanks! (Examples would be appreciated.)

Answer 1

Verbs are termed "preterit by nature" when all tenses assume the event had a beginning and an end that occured in the past. For example, casarse, graduarse, descrubrir, salir, etc.link text

Answer 2

when all tenses assume the event had a beginning and an end that occured in the past.

But that doesn't make sense. Saldré means that I will go out in the future, for example. Things occurred in the past when you use past tenses, regardless of the verb.

Lazarus, did you see the link to Paralee's lesson? It's confusing. - --Mariana--, Aug 31, 2010

Answer 3

It seems that Unified provided a link to Paralee's lesson on the Preterit, and in fact, she does call some verbs "Preterit by Nature." She includes "salir" on her list of such verbs.

Can we get further comments on this? It's a bit confusing.

Verbs that are Preterit by Nature

casarse to get married

graduarse to graduate

cumplir años to turn a certain age

llegar to arrive

darse cuenta de to realize

morir to die

decidir to decide

nacer to be born

descubrir to discover

salir to leave

Answer 4

Maybe a verb like olvidar? To forget? You're never actually in the act or process of forgetting - you've either forgotten, or not you're not using that word.

Estoy olvidando todo mi alemán. Se me está olvidando todo. - lazarus1907, Aug 31, 2010

Just because it can be formed into progressive tense doesn't mean it's actively happening when you say that though. - skygoneblue, Aug 31, 2010

Both sentences are in progress: the act of forgetting started, and it hasn't finished yet (I still have not forgotten everything). - lazarus1907, Aug 31, 2010

Besides, the progressive forms in Spanish are ONLY possible if the action is "actively" happening when you say it. - lazarus1907, Aug 31, 2010

Answer 5

I don't know why "salir" is meant to be a preterite verb. I doesn't make sense to me. It is a verb like any other one, and it is used in all tenses. It can be translated as "to leave/depart/go out".