Why Imperfect

Question

Hi,

Can someone please explain me the use of the imperfect in these sentences ? Why they were used instead of the Preterite/Past perfect ? (necesitaba,tenia)

> Juan me llamo y me dijo que necesitaba algo > > Juan me llamo y me dijo que tenia que ir de compras

Did you intend to write "llamó" in your sentence? - Janice, Jan 12, 2014

I did, sorry for not using accents. - idanr84, Jan 12, 2014

Answer 1

There are a number of conditions that would require the use of the Imperfect Indicative. The best way to learn would be to find a resource that explains each condition in detail. I know of about 7 or 8 and there are probably more.

Here are two that apply to the sentences that you have asked about.

1. A description of mental, emotional, or physical condition in the past. - "necesitaba"

2. An indirect quotation in the past. "me dijo + Imperfect indicative", said something, in both sentences about a past action. The past action uses the Imperfect indicative.

In general when two things are going on at the same time in the past, or something was going on in past, and it's ending was not indicated, and then another action occurred, you would use the Imperfect Indicative for the 'on-going action'.

So Juan was needing something, needing to go the store, and then he told you about it. That triggers the Imperfect Indicative for the first, continuous action of needing.

Thank you! - idanr84, Jan 12, 2014

Answer 2

You will need to sit down and learn for a while to understand it how to use, since I am at work and can't really spend much time explaining it to you, I'll make it simple for you "necesitaba" whenever you want to say the word needed and "tenia que ir" whenever you want to use the word had to or supposed to etc

I think you misunderstood my question. I know and did invest time in learning when/where to use the imperfect. In those specific scenarios, where the imperfect was used after the preterite, I got a bit confused. - idanr84, Jan 11, 2014