With serand estarWith serand estarthe preteriteis used to refer to states or conditions that
have now ended, or to talk about distinct periods of time in the past.
The imperfectis used when the intention is merely to say that the state or
condition existed at some time in the past.Adriana estuvoenferma la semana pasada.
Adriana was ill last week (had a bout of illness).
Cuando fui a su casa Adriana estabaenferma.
When I went to her house Adriana was ill.
Sánchez fuepresidente tres veces.
Sánchez was president three times (had three presidential terms).Sánchez erapresidente en aquella época.
Sánchez was president at the time.The preterite indicates action, the imperfect indicates state
The preterite denotes an actionin many constructions (e.g. in the pattern
ser+ adjective + infinitive).The imperfect describes a state.
Fuefácil hacerlo. It was easily done (and it was
done).Erafácil hacerlo It was an easy thing to do.
Tuve quepagar la cena yo. I had to pay for the dinner (and I
did pay).
El niño tenía queacostarse The boy’s bedtime was eight
a las ocho. o’clock.Costó mucho la casa. The house was expensive (a lot
was paid).
Costaba mucho la casa. The house was expensive.For different translations of quererand poder with the imperfect and
preterite tenses see 16.4 and 16.5.1(c).11.1.4.2(^1111) 11.1.4.1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1011
1
12111
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
20111
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
30111
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
40
41111
Simple tenses