Should I use the preterite or imperfect in this sentence?

Question

In this sentence, should the bolded verb "estar" be in the preterite or imperfect past tense? "Yo vi una alfombra de muchos colores que estaba/estuvo hecha de aserrín." Thanks so much for any answers (:

How is a carpet made of sawdust? Can you clarify Tedd? - pacofinkler, Apr 20, 2014

@paco, I added a link in my answer. - 00551866, Apr 20, 2014

Answer 1

The correct way is: estaba hecha de aserrín (imperfect)

Many times sentences in the imperfect simply describe how things were. Whereas the preterite often emphasizes physical action, the imperfect frequently focuses on background description. It references what things were like, rather than what happened. The verb ser, which is used for description, origin, and time, and the verb estar, used to denote location, short-term conditions, and the result of an action, are both used frequently in such situations.

Compré un coche. preterite (specific action) I bought a car. El coche era rojo. imperfect (description) Th e car was red. Ana se casó. preterite (specific action) Ana got married. Ana estaba casada. imperfect (description) Ana was married.

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Thanks for clarifying that. - 00551866, Apr 20, 2014

Thanks for clearing that up, I appreciate the info! - TeddJPB, Apr 21, 2014

Answer 2

I am not an expert but I would use the preterite if talking about just one you saw for that time. Because they made it quickly for a street show, you saw it and it´s over.

However, if you are talking about a specific design that is made every year then maybe the imperfect because it is something that takes place over a period of time (every year).

Saw dust carpet

Dios Mio Andre-I would have never thought of that- Gracias - pacofinkler, Apr 20, 2014