Era/fue correcta la decisión

Question

Hi guys,

I've spent days Googling this and I've read as many Linguee example sentences as possible plus various grammar websites and whilst I definitely do understand the difference between "fue" and "era" (ser), I still cannot determine with absolute confidence if I should use "era" or "fue" in the following sentence:

Nadie sabe si era/fue correcta la decisión a largo plazo

The problem is that Linguee and various other websites show both "fue" and "era" being used!

I'm hoping someone can explain why that's possible and what the difference is in meaning.

E.g. is "era" correct if stressing the "correctness" of the decision and/or if stressing "in the long term" or does it have to be "fue" because the decision is over and done with (in which case, why does Linguee have so many examples of this sentence using "era")?

Thanks!

Interesting question. - annierats, Sep 28, 2015

Welcome to SpanishDict. Please take a moment and complete your SD profile as it relates to language. Thanks. - rac1, Sep 28, 2015

Answer 1

Annie is correct:

Having said that. It is important to have context. And that "nadie sabe" to me is important, because as in this case, not much context is given so, I would use the following format:

Nadie sabe si fue la decisión correcta

Nadie sabía si era la decisión correcta

Thanks, Chileno. I'll buy you a drink. - annierats, Sep 28, 2015

Thanks Annie. :) - chileno, Sep 29, 2015

Answer 2

I think it depends on context and style of writing. If it is part of a tale told in the imperfect, a lengthy descriptive sort of tale, then you could use 'era'.

If it is part of a tale where the decision is an important factor, over and done with, use 'fue'.

It doesn't change the meaning, it depends more on the type of narrative.

This is only my personal feeling and I'm just another student, not a native.

maybe one could argyue that ' saber' should be in the subjunctive? No hay nadie que sepa?

Thanks annierats, it helps to know that both are possibly equally correct (don't worry about "nadie sabe", that was just to give the sentence context) - I'll wait and see if a native speaker (or just anyone who claims to "know"!) has a different viewpoint - Curious123, Sep 28, 2015

There are some good natives, Curious, hopefully somebody will be kind enough to comment. - annierats, Sep 28, 2015

Answer 3

Fue refers to a specific moment

Era una clase aburrida (siempre) vs Fue una clase aburrida (ayer) En su juventud fue jugador de fútbol (not always, but in his youth) vs Era jugador de fútbol

Thanks pedro1mm but as per my question; I already know that but it hasn't helped me with this one particular example as the internet contains many (many!) examples of both "fue" and "era" being used in this sentence. - Curious123, Sep 28, 2015

Well the fact that you find exampes of both should tell you that both can be correct depending on context. - gringojrf, Sep 28, 2015

Answer 4

Both are forms of ser. Like Annie said one is preterite and the other imperfect. Don't get hung up on the usages. Both can be correct depending on the context. Just make sure that the "fue" you are using isn't the form of "ir". In your sentence that would definitely be wrong.

This doesn't answer my question at all. Which is correct in that specific sentence? - Curious123, Sep 28, 2015

Like Chileno and Annie said either can be correct. Both will be understood. Don't get overly hung up on this stuff. With exposure it will become natural. - gringojrf, Sep 28, 2015

Answer 5

Thanks guys but I provided a specific sentence and I'm looking for someone to tell me what the difference is in meaning or if only one can be used (era or fue).

If you don't know, please don't reply with generic comments about what fue/era mean: I already know what they mean and what the difference is "in most cases". This particular sentence however, has me stumped so I only need help with this specific sentence.

Thanks

I really think there is no need to worry about meaning, only about the style of telling the tale. - annierats, Sep 28, 2015

These members are trying to help you. Please keep that in mind. These are not "generic comments". They are trying to help you see things for yourself, that is a part of learning. - rac1, Sep 28, 2015

Thanks rac1 I will definitely keep that in mind. Please consider that from the questioner's point of view, we have to let future potential commenters know what has been helpful / what hasn't and why otherwise we won't get the answer we personally need. - Curious123, Sep 28, 2015

My comment certainly wasn't rude and I included enough information to show that I had tried to resolve this myself so it's okay to ask for a direct answer sometimes. - Curious123, Sep 28, 2015