Preterito indefinido y preterito imperfecto

Question

Hello, I am starting to learn the differences between these two tenses. The following two sentences have both been said/written by a native spanish speaker:

1) "Cuando comíamos, la luz se apagó". I think I understand this, the imperfecto sets the scene for the indefinido.

2) "Mientras todos hablaban, Juan miraba por la ventana." I don't understand this. Why not miró instead of miraba?

Could someone please clarify, thank you.

Answer 1

For #1, the first part is setting the scene, while the second part is stating what happened during that "scene". While we were eating, the light went out.

For #2, they are both in the imperfect tense because they both were occurring simultaneously. It's a "while ABC was doing this, XYZ was doing that". If you were to break them up into their own sentences, it would still be imperfect. i.e. What was everybody doing? Everyone was talking. What was Juan doing? Juan was looking out the window. Both are "scene-setters" . If the idea is to say that Juan glanced out for a sec (a completed action, not continuous), then it would be preterite (Juan miró).

So, I suppose it all boils down to "completed action" vs. "continuous (scene-setting, no beginning or end) action".

Gosh I wrote quite a bit. I hope it helps.

Corrections/Clarification welcomed

Thank you for your reply! It makes sense (sort of), but I guess there has to be many situations when you dont know when to use either form? - FreakHavoc, Apr 1, 2012

Oh, I'm sorry it wasn't clear enough. I still get confused sometimes deciding which form is better but there have been instances when a native Spanish-speaker would tell me either were fine. - Goldie_Miel, Apr 1, 2012

I'm having trouble too using Indefinido and Imperfecto. - mdimailig, Apr 16, 2015

Answer 2

Why did this post 3 times?! Argh.

If possible, can a moderator delete the extras please! - Goldie_Miel, Mar 31, 2012

Answer 3

Oops. Double post.

First time in a long time