Fue vs. Era with description in mind

Question

I am often confused about whether I should use 'fue' or 'era' when I am describing things. I know that using the preterite indicates that the action was completed in the past and using the imperfect means that the action was ongoing for a period of time in the past, was habitual, and/or could still be occurring. I feel like unless there are specific context clues (ayer, el año pasado, etc) that indicate use of preterite (and therefore fue), imperfect should be used.

For example: Fue estudiante. Era estudiante.

My gut here would be to say era, because they were either a) a student for a period of time or b) still a student.

Fue bonita. Era bonita.

Same deal...

I think I just feel like if its a desctiption, imperfect should be used, because it happened for a while or is still happening? I don't know...please help me!!!

I think you're doing very well, I'm grappling with the same problem je je - Whatchalooki has some good info below for you :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 13, 2011

Answer 1

I answered this question on Yahoo Answers a LONG while back. Hope you can use it FUI / FUE / FUIMOS....... is the past tense of the verb TO BE or TO GO. TO BE is the one you want to know about...... "El fue estudiante de este instituto en 1990": he was a student at this institute in 1990. "ellos fueron perseguidos por la policia": they were chased by the cops. This is used for an action which happened (and ENDED) in the past. The guy is no longer a student there..... and "they" were chased by the police yesterday, last month or last year, but it's over.

ERA, ERAMOS, etc...... would be the equivalent of "USED TO BE"........ which is used to describe a certain condition or situation that happened simultaneously with another, or when there's a change in the circumstances. Examples:

ELLA ERA MUY LISTA -- she used to be very smart, which indicates that she no longer is. JOSE ERA JUGADOR DE FUTBOL CUANDO ESTUDIABA LA PREPARATORIA -- Jose used to be a football player when he was in high school. YO ERA MUY BUENO EN MATEMATICAS -- I used to be very good at math --- but this means I no longer am. VERONICA Y YO ERAMOS AMIGAS -- Veronica and I used to be friends -- but not anymore. Mind you, you could also use FUIMOS in this case, cause it's something that started and ended in the past. But in the other cases you do have to use era, eramos, etc.

good answer I read it on Yahoo too a while back and added it to a file I'm making on Ser vs Estar in the past - it was very helpful , gracias - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 13, 2011

So helpful..Always wanted to know. Its been on my mind these days..Thanks for the great explanation whatchalooki - Peas, Nov 14, 2011