Is this preterit or imperfect?

Question

I am learning the differences between using the preterit and imperfect tenses and need some help with a few sentences. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

Are these preterit or imperfect? (and more importantly why?)

While you were in Florida I divorced you and remarried.

My guess- While you were in Florida- Imperfect (no specific time?) I divorced you and remarried - both preterit (one time action)

I woke up at 7PM yesterday. Preterit because the verb does not go with the time

It was 7AM when I woke up yesterday. Imperfect because the verb goes with the time and then preterit because it was a one time action.

When did you find out he was a criminal. Preterit because that could be a specified time and then imperfect because it uses "was".

The bear was beautiful (referring to seeing a bear only once). I am thinking preterit because you are talking about the bear at that moment? But I am really not sure on this one.

Any pointers as to when something is imperfect or preterit?

You're doing fine, sometimes we have laugh on this site, I hope you're not offended. - annierats, Dec 8, 2011

None taken! Thank you for the help everyone! This has really helped. - bjlehman, Dec 9, 2011

Answer 1

I think you're on to it - For the last one I'd go with the imperfect though because it's a description in the past and that's usually better done in the imperfect - did he stop being beautiful at some point just because you weren't looking at him? je je no so it was an ongoing state - imperfect.

Sorry kiwi we did it at the same time.. - annierats, Dec 8, 2011

all good :) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 8, 2011

Answer 2

El oso era bonito ( or whatever beautiful bears are.) Apart from that I think you have it sussed.

How long was your ex-wife in Florida for, I find that one a bit alarming, go to Florida for a wek and you return to find your husband has divorced you and re-married? America!

lol - man you're a crack up Annie :) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 8, 2011

i'm going to bed now, you can carry on more seriously. - annierats, Dec 8, 2011

Answer 3

I agree with Kiwi and Annierats with regard to the last example

The imperfect Indicative is used for descriptions of mental, emtional or physical states /conditions in the past so would be used to describ ethe phsyical condition of the bear in the past.

El oso era hermosa = The bear was beautiful

I hope this helps