Cuando + imperfecto/indefinido

Question

Hi, trying hard to get an understanding of when to use these. A course book i am working through gives 4 examples of "indefinido", and they are only two that are "indefinido" as far as I can make out. Could someone please explain reason for the use of given tenses?

1) Cuando empezó la pelicula, se durmió. Indef/Indef 2) Cuando terminé el trabajo, me fui a casa. Indef/Indef 3) Cuando ella bajaba por la escalera, rompió una pierna. Imperf/Indef 4) Cuando era joven, sólo pensaba en divertime. Imperf/Impere.

Muchas gracias por su ayuda

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, Aug 6, 2016

thank you. i have not listed homework here, but examples given to show the use of the Pretérito Imperfecto with CUANDO. I have spent many an hour trying to differentiate between the need to use this or the Imperfecto Indicative. - scentered, Aug 6, 2016

Your language levels are very important for us in order to better help you as is your gender so please complete your profile. - ray76, Aug 6, 2016

We don't do homework for you . - ray76, Aug 6, 2016

Answer 1

Whether or not this is homework, the questioner is simply asking for an explanation of the reasoning for the choice of preterit or imperfect (sorry I don't know the Spanish terms for the tenses that well). They are asking for an understanding, not a fill in the blank answer.

Preterit- normally single enclosed (over) event

Indefinite- normally repeated or still open (with a few always, regardless)

1) Cuando empezó la pelicula, se durmió. Indef/Indef

When the movie started, he fell asleep. Both are single events in the past that are long over. Preterit both.

2) Cuando terminé el trabajo, me fui a casa. Indef/Indef

When I finished work, I left for home. Again both single events in the past, done deal. Preterit both.

3) Cuando ella bajaba por la escalera, rompió una pierna. Imperf/Indef

When she was going down the stairs, she broke a leg. The first is open in relation to the second- in the midst of one the other happened, so the first is imperfect, the second is a done deal, single event that happened, so preterit. She probably didn't make it down the stairs, but it is irrelevant- going down the stairs is not a single completed action in this sentence.

4) Cuando era joven, sólo pensaba en divertime. Imperf/Impere.

When I was young, I used to only think about having fun. The first is set- you always use imperfect for a previous life stage. Period. The second is a repeated action over a long time. I didn't do it once, I did it all the time. So both imperfect.

Now I could rewrite the first:

Mientras empezaba la película, se durmió. While the movie was starting, he fell asleep. This just changes the focus a bit, so that now the movie starting is open in relation to him falling asleep. Notice in English I changed from started to was starting. That is the sense change of the choice.

If I rewrite the third:

Ella bajó por la escalera, luego se rompió un pierna. She went down the stairs, then she broke a leg.- Notice two separate completed actions. She did one then the other happened.

hopefully this will give you a sense of the difference between the two tenses.

In relation to cuando specifically- in English if you could use upon (even if not really the best choice-- if it gives that sense)- then preterit, if while- then imperfect.

Upon the movie starting..

Upon finishing work...

While she was going down the stairs...

While I was young....

Thank you so much. you have been a great help. Really appreciate the breakdown. - scentered, Aug 6, 2016

De nada. :) - bosquederoble, Aug 6, 2016

Answer 2

First off: the Spanish past continuous is different from the imperfect preterite form.

1. We use cuando to mean en el punto en que algo ocurre.
2. The choice of the imperfect or the indefinite form is merely context.
   Cuando ella bajaba por la escalera, rompió una pierna.
   We use bajaba as a repeated action in the past. If we use bajó, we mean that this action was done in a particular time in the past. In this case, I wouldn't say:
   Cuando ella bajaba por la escalera, rompía una pierna.
   rompía means that the repeated action in the past romper was done repeteadly — with this verb, this doesn't make sense, so the indifinite form fits perfectly.

Everytime you want to show repetition of the action, use the imperfect form. For a particular action done in the past, use the indefinitive form.

---

The clearest way for a learner to understand the imperfect form, is the use of would. In English, would is used for repeated action in the past. Hence

When I was young, I'd always play football with my dad. (= cuando era joven, siempre jugaba fútbol con mi papá.)

Caveat: We can take either the imperfect or indefinite form from a past simple form.

I didn't know that. (= no sabía/supe eso.)

I really appreciate you taking the time to explain. Manu thanks to you and to bosquederobl - scentered, Aug 6, 2016

Answer 3

Have read, re-read, written out, and read the above post again( best way for me to work!) And delighted to say " I get it! "

Was wrongly translating all the past events as passed/completed....... started, finished, went,thought etc. By adding  'was .... ing' as in ,..... was going down the stairs, was thinking only of fun etc.,  it lets me know that there is no 'end' to the action. Adding "upon", "while" and "would" are great tips too.

Thank you very much