Era, Estaba, Fue, Estuvo

Question

After months speaking Spanish, I still have trouble with the past tense of "to be." I need something concise to run to quickly in my mind when speaking. Looking at a bunch of forums, I put together this summary - can someone check and see if this is correct, or if there is anything I need to add?

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Past Tense of “be”

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past with duration (ser form) Era: Yo era un estudiante = I was a student (estar form) Estaba: Yo estaba en la tienda = I was at the store "estaba" is the only one that can be used like the past continuous: estaba durmiendo= I was sleeping

past completed (ser form) Fue: He was killed: Fue asesinado (estar form) Estuvo: The plate was hot: El plato estuvo caliente (but only for a moment, not continuously, which is why this is very uncommon).

Note: “fue” also means “went” as in: El fue a la tienda = he went to the store The continuous form of this is “iba:” --> Ella iba a la tienda cuando la llamaron = she was going to the store when they called her

Welcome to SpanishDict. - rac1, Apr 6, 2015

I fear it will just keep getting more confusing, the more you know, but don't wory, very good progress. - annierats, Apr 6, 2015

Welcome to the forum , we want to help you so fill out your profile If you have a problem PM a mod Bienvenido al foro. Queremos ayudarle, entonces hay que llenar su perfil. Si hay un problema, envíe un mensaje personal (PM) - ray76, Apr 7, 2015

Answer 1

I believe you have the rules correct. The only thing you need now is practice.

If you take part in some of our games you can get written practice, and your

efforts will be corrected. If you have any more specific questions we will be

happy to help.

Buena Suerte.

At last someone has the sense to get the person working , we need more teachers like you and less members that like to show off their prowess at answering. - ray76, Apr 7, 2015

Sorry have had a bad day . - ray76, Apr 7, 2015

Answer 2

More confusing is the preterite of Ser and Ir. They are the same. I sometimes find myself thinking is it fue or estuvo (ser or estar) when really it is fue (ir).

The "imperfect" of "ir" is "iba,ibas,iba íbamos, íbais, iban." "estaba" (imperfect of estar) and the rest of the forms have nothing to do with "ir" - Daniela2041, Apr 6, 2015

ha Daniela, there is fuera... - annierats, Apr 6, 2015

Sorry Dani. I put the imperfect of estar instead of the preterite. But my point stands I get confused by the two preterites that are the same. - gringojrf, Apr 6, 2015

Hi, Annie. "fuera" is the past subjunctive of "ser/ir" and has nothing to do with "estar" - Daniela2041, Apr 6, 2015

Answer 3

You could add the imperfect subjunctive: fuera and estuviera when you use the past subjunctive with the past main clause.