Do I use the preterit or imperfect for this and why?
2
votes
The people that I met on the road were very generous with us. (referring to meeting people while riding bikes cross country over a period of two months)
Would I say: Las personas que conocí en el camino fueron muy generosas con nosotros. or Las personas que conocí en el camino eran muy generosas con nosotros.
They were generous when I met them so it was a one time action but it describes people in the past. I am confused whether I should use the preterit or imperfect.
Can anyone explain which way is correct and why? Thanks!
999 views
updated Sep 30, 2014
posted by bjlehman
1 Answer
3
votes
I think your choice of the preterite is correct as you refer to their generosity at a particular time. However, if you mean that they were very generous in general, then you should say ' eran'.
updated Sep 30, 2014
posted by annierats
Thank you so much! - bjlehman, Sep 30, 2014
Bien dicho - 005faa61, Sep 30, 2014
