Imperfect v Preterit

Question

In this sentence, "Ayer estaba muy felize porque me iba de vacaciones", why is "estaba" used, rather than "estuve"?

I would think that since it was yesterday, which had a clear beginning and end and was a single event, that the preterit would be used. My lesson indicated that the imperfect should be used.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Because it is a description in the past.. a story, there fore imperfect can be used. It can also be used about feelings because it is hard to specify the moment you start to be happy or sad.. I think if you want to stress it was a fleeting feeling you can well say estuve feliz ayer porque iba de vacaciones, pero el coche sufrió una áveria y al fin y al cabo tuvimos que quedarnos en casa.. ( I can't see any reason not to have estaba in that one either, actually).

Por favor, this answer is made late at night and may not make much sense, I'm going to bed now. - annierats, Jun 10, 2015

Your comment about having to do with feelings rings a bell in my mind. - AndaBien, Jun 10, 2015

Annie is certainly correct about the use of the imperfect to communicate feelings because we cannot be certain the point at which they begin or end. I remember Paralee saying that, too, in her online teaching videos :) - FELIZ77, Jun 11, 2015