When using the imperfect to talk about the past, when can one use an infinitive?

Question

Given this example: Yo miraba a las aves salvajes comer las semillas de girasol en mi yarda. I was watching the wild birds eating the sunflower seeds in my yard.

Is it ok to use "comer" (the infinitive), or should one use the imperfect form of comer (las aves comían).

The reason I ask this question is because I consider it proper in English to say: I was watching the wild birds eat the sunflower seeds in my yard.

Gracias.

Answer 1

Yes, it is. Just some minor corrections:

Miraba a las aves salvajes comer las semillas de girasol en mi patio. I was watching the wild birds eating the sunflower seeds in my yard.

Yarda is a yard only when it refers to a unit of measurement. A backyard or frontyard is patio (delantero or trasero, depending on the location).

Hey Franco, just out of interest why did you use the 'a' before 'las aves'? Is it because it was a specific group of birds? Would the sentence also function just as well as 'miraba las aves'? - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 23, 2012

or is it a directional aspect? eg you were looking 'towards' the birds? - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 23, 2012

Thanks for the clarification of the word "yard". When the impersonal "a" is used with animals, aren't they usually pets? Maybe that is why Kiwi-Girl is asking. I would not consider wild birds as something that would need a personal "a". j - Esteban3304, Dec 23, 2012

Yes that's why I'm thinking that perhaps it's a directional nuance, looking towards the birds, rather than looking at (examining) the birds so to speak. - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 23, 2012

@Kiwi... I did not catch "a las aves" I copied and pasted his sentence. It should be miraba las aves.. Great catch! - francobollo, Dec 23, 2012

Esteban... no personal a is necessary... Sorry for the confusion! - francobollo, Dec 23, 2012