Difference between Imperfect and *estaba haciendo*

Question

Hola! Could you please explain the difference in use between the following tense constructions? Yo estaba comiendo cuando sonó el telefono. y Yo comía cuando sonó el telefono.
I know that both of these tenses express a similar action, but is any construction wrong in context? And how to use them in practice? Or maybe they can be used interchangeably? Muchas gracias! Joan

Answer 1

Good question. Always difficult to give a generic answer to those.

In your specific case I think only the first estaba comiendo, which is in the Past Progressive, is correct since it concerns an ongoing action in the past. You hadn't finished eating at the moment the phone rang and it's likely that continued eating after dealing with whoever interrupted your moment of siesta. In English you'd also say 'I was eating when the phone rang' and not 'I ate when the phone rang'.

Use the Imperfect when you want to set the scene for the moment of the phonecall. Like 'I felt angry when the phone rang/ there was a wasp in my drink when the phone rang'. 'Estaba enojado cuando sonó el teléfono'

muchas gracias, very clear explanation, that's what I needed! Es eso que necesité! (hope it's correct) - joans, Jul 26, 2011

Answer 2

Both ways are correct to express the same idea.

Yo comía/yo estaba comiendo cuando...

It's also what I needed to hear. Makes Spanish even easier! Muchas gracias. - joans, Jul 26, 2011

Answer 3

You might find this link interesting too Joans as it helps to explain the subtle difference between the imp and the past progressive.

Click here

the point I got from it was that the imperfect is used to talk about something habitual or that covers a bit of a time period whereas the past progressive seems to limit that time period down a little. Well that's my take anyways

muchas gracias Kiwi_Girl. I always appreciate a new take on grammar, muy util. - joans, Dec 8, 2011

no worries, my pleasure :) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 8, 2011