Why is it correct to say "Esa casa era azul. - That house was blue." instead of "Esa casa *fue* azul"?

Question

Why is it correct to say "Esa casa era azul. - That house was blue." instead of "Esa casa fue azul"?

Thanks-

Ann

Welcome to the forum! - pesta, Mar 26, 2011

Good question - have a vote - ian-hill, Mar 26, 2011

Answer 1

It has to do with the meaning being expressed.

"era" is in the "imperfect" tense, and "fue" is in the "preterite" tense. Both tenses express the past, but the preterite is for past events that are completed. There are many articles on this subject, here, and on the internet.

Here's a pretty good one: Preterite vs Imperfect

That explanation is wrong in this case. - pedrofranklin, Mar 26, 2011

Answer 2

Because it was a situation and not an event.

Answer 3

This is what I call "a can of worms" question. It seems so simple but it the answer is a long and complex story that I may never fully understand.

I agree - in English "it was blue" - "it used to be blue" both can mean the same thing (it is not blue now) confuses too. - ian-hill, Mar 26, 2011

Answer 4

How about because it was blue for a period of time indicating era, an ongoing situation in the past, and not blue for just for an instant.

Answer 5

The color of the house is considered part of its character or being, the verb Ser is used. The house being blue is not something that started and stopped as a momentary past action, so we must say Era.

What about as "fact" in the past ? I don't get it either Julian :) - ian-hill, Mar 26, 2011