Use of caracterizar- tenses

Question

I'm hoping that someone can conform for me that caracterizar is one of a rare breed of verbs that only functions in préterito indefinido when used in the past, rather than in imperfecto. Think of this sentence (part of a grammar section for DELE preparation exams):

Es necesario capacitar y actualizar permanenente, de forma sistemática, a los docentes- técnicos, así como buscar desde las conducciones de las escuelas que los más jóvenes retomen ese sentido de pertenencia, ese compromiso que _________ siempre a los docentes. Si lo conseguimos, sin duda, ganarán ellos pero, sobre todo mejorará la educación y de hecho nos beneficiaremos todos.

Three options were offered to fill the blank space.

a- caracterizó. b- caracterizaba. c- caracterice (obviously subjuntivo is not appropriate here).

The correct answer is a, although I answered in b (as a non-speaker this sounds correct). Given there is also an example on this dictionary that used caracterizar in préterito indefinido, I am hoping that somebody can shed light on its use (ie is never used in imperfecto) and if so, if there are other similar verbs only used in préterito indefinido (like how soler is only used in imperfecto).

Many thanks

Andrew

Answer 1

This should help you decide.

FORMAS NO PERSONALES

Infinitivo

caracterizar

Participio

caracterizado

Gerundio

caracterizando INDICATIVO

SUBJUNTIVO

Presente

caracterizo caracterizas / caracterizás caracteriza caracterizamos caracterizáis / caracterizan caracterizan

Futuro simple o Futuro

caracterizaré caracterizarás caracterizará caracterizaremos caracterizaréis / caracterizarán caracterizarán

Presente

caracterice caracterices caracterice caractericemos caractericéis / caractericen caractericen

Pretérito imperfecto o Copretérito

caracterizaba caracterizabas caracterizaba caracterizábamos caracterizabais / caracterizaban caracterizaban

Condicional simple o Pospretérito

caracterizaría caracterizarías caracterizaría caracterizaríamos caracterizaríais / caracterizarían caracterizarían

Pretérito imperfecto o Pretérito

caracterizara o caracterizase caracterizaras o caracterizases caracterizara o caracterizase caracterizáramos o caracterizásemos caracterizarais o caracterizaseis / caracterizaran o caracterizasen caracterizaran o caracterizasen

Pretérito perfecto simple o Pretérito

caractericé caracterizaste caracterizó caracterizamos caracterizasteis / caracterizaron caracterizaron

Futuro simple o Futuro

caracterizare caracterizares caracterizare caracterizáremos caracterizareis / caracterizaren caracterizaren IMPERATIVO caracteriza (tú) / caracterizá (vos) caracterizad (vosotros) / caractericen (ustedes)

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Answer 2

You are right the correct answer is a. but b. is also correct with a change in meaning. As follows: a. means that characterised the teachers. b. means: That used to characterise the teachers.

I hope this clarifies your understanding.

I can't remember the grammar but that is the meaning.

R