I was..............ing

Question

For example-I was eating. I understand the Imperfect tense would be used here. But what is the proper way to say this. yo estaba comiendo or yo comía ?

you need more context. - 0080b918, Mar 2, 2013

Ok different sentence-Why didn't you answer your phone? Sorry i was sleeping? Lo siento, yo estaba durmiendo or Lo siento, dormía? Thanks - bfpsu, Mar 2, 2013

Disregard the ? mark after sleeping, it's a typo. It's supposed to be just "i was sleeping" - bfpsu, Mar 2, 2013

Answer 1

Well I know in the present tense for actions happening right now, you always use the present tense of Estar with the ing form of the verb (ando/iendo). I am eating is Estoy comiendo, not just comiendo. I guess why i am confused is because it looks like you can use the Imperfect Tense of Estar with the ando/iendo form of the verb but the verb also has a Imperfect Tense conjugation- Comía.

Bueno, yo sé en el tiempo presente para las acciones que suceden en este momento, utilice siempre el tiempo presente de Estar con la forma ing del verbo (ando / iendo). Yo estoy comiendo es comiendo Estoy no sólo comiendo. Supongo que por eso estoy confun - 0080b918, Mar 2, 2013

Thanks, can you look at the other example I posted above in a comment regarding I was sleeping and maybe provide me with an answer. Thanks - bfpsu, Mar 2, 2013

Answer 2

Needs more context. At a specific time when something else happened? Just once? Repeatedly? I do this too. Offer up a question, and some context, that in my mind is enough, and then almost invariably, get requests for additional context. It seems to be the way of things

Probably, estaba comiendo.