Feedback to imperfect/preterit homework requested.

Question

5 sentences to be translated. The main focus should be on whether I chose the right past tense. Thanks in advance.

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(1) We had to (were obliged) wait an hour to go up the Giralda.

Teníamos que esperar por una hora para subir la Giralda.

(2) While we waited, I noticed that there were a lot of people in the plaza.

Mientras esperábamos, noté que había mucha gente en la plaza.

(3) Raúl was telling me something about what he did last night.

Raúl me estaba contando sobre lo que hizo la noche pasada.

(4) Raúl told me that he went to a flamenco club.

Raúl me contó que fue a un club de flamenco.

(5) We wanted to go to the Alcázar in the afternoon, but we found out that it was closed.

Queríamos ir a Alcázar por la tarde, pero supimos que estaba cerrada.

Bien. Or at least, that's what I think. - annierats, Sep 29, 2012

Creo que se dice : subir a la Giralda. - annierats, Sep 29, 2012

last night: anoche. - annierats, Sep 29, 2012

I considered "subir a" but thought that it was for boarding vehicles, not for going up. - S1r_Wakka, Sep 29, 2012

Answer 1

Good job!

(1) Tuvimos que esperar una hora means you actually had to wait an hour, you waited the hour and end of story. Teníamos que esperar una hora means that it was imperative that you wait an hour (no matter why).

(2) Perfect.

(3) la noche anterior (or anoche--Thanks Annie!). The verb is perfect.

(4) Perfect.

(5) Perfect verb. al Alcázar / cerrado.

Answer 2

1. My suggestion, for what it's worth : dimos cuenta que estaba cerrada.

You've done a great job!

no 1 means 5. for some reason my computer can no longer do numbers, it needs to go on a course. - annierats, Sep 29, 2012

Use parenthesis (5) and the list HTML code won't be triggered on your posting. - francobollo, Sep 29, 2012

dimos cuenta "de" que estaba "cerrado" (El Alcázar) - francobollo, Sep 29, 2012

Thanks. I think both are correct. "Saber" is one of those verbs with a special meaning when put in the preterit. - S1r_Wakka, Sep 29, 2012