tuve que o tenía que

Question

I am still perplexed about when to use "tuve que" and when to use "tenía que." So far, the best that I can do is that "tuve que" means I had to, and possible did, and only on one occasion. "Tenía que" seems to mean I had to in an abstract sense, with no time restriction, and may not have actually done so. Or, I was supposed to. Some specific examples along with guidelines would be very helpful here. Merely saying that it depends on context is, by itself, of no help.

http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/185605/tena-que-or-tuve-que - bosquederoble, Dec 10, 2016

See the answer by Izanoni, not the accepted answer. :) - bosquederoble, Dec 10, 2016

The above is just ot give you something to read until Daniela comes by and gives you an answer. If she sees fit. :) - bosquederoble, Dec 10, 2016

Or Julian, or any one of our other native speakers. :) - rac1, Dec 10, 2016

True, it just seemed like the kin of thing Daniela usually tackles. She probably already has a thread on it. :) - bosquederoble, Dec 10, 2016

Thanks for the link, bosque. Izanoni's answer is very instructive. - AnnRon, Dec 11, 2016

That is why we need to leave the older questions as they are. They can search first, as instructed to do, and probably find their answers, but not if it's a deleted thread, such as the one Bosque posted. - rac1, Dec 11, 2016

Plus others gain benefit by these older threads as well. I'll try and find it and reopen it. - rac1, Dec 11, 2016

Ok, I have reopened that thread. I'm glad you've found use still in it, Ann. - rac1, Dec 11, 2016

Answer 1

I have been pondering my own question. I think that I know the answer now. If I want to say that I had to do something and I actually did it (because I had to do it), then because it was a completed action, I think that preterite is correct. If I want to say that I was supposed to do something or that I (emphasis on I) had to do something (because no one else would do it if it was to get done), then imperfect is correct because there is no suggestion that I actually started or finished the action. Last month, the car wash was broken, so I had to wash my own car. That doesn't mean that I actually did so. Hence I would use imperfect. Nevertheless, a native speaker is going to have to settle this matter.

Hi one post on this subject is enough , Bosque wanted you to study the other post not to open it . Thanks mate. - ray76, Dec 11, 2016

Well, where is the thread Bosque is referring to? I tried it and it just went back to the home page, which can only mean, someone deleted it. - rac1, Dec 11, 2016