The Imperfect Tense:The Imperfect Tense:Other UsesOther Uses

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Realidades 2

Imperfect Tense: Other UsesImperfect Tense: Other Uses

You already know how to use the imperfect tense together with the preterite to describe a situation that existed when something else happened.

Nadie estaba en la casa cuando los bomberos entraron.

Imperfect Tense: Other UsesImperfect Tense: Other Uses

The imperfect tense may also be used:

To tell what time it was or what the weather was like when something happened.

Eran las cinco de la mañana y llovía mucho cuando el accidente occurió.

Imperfect Tense: Other UsesImperfect Tense: Other Uses

To describe the physical, mental, and emotional states of a person or thing when something happened.

Muchas personas querían ayudar a la familia, pero no sabían que hacer.

Imperfect Tense: Other UsesImperfect Tense: Other Uses

These verbs are often used in the imperfect to describe states of being:

Imperfect Tense: Other UsesImperfect Tense: Other Uses

Estar (triste, contento, cansado)Parecer (cansado, mal)PensarQuererSentirse (bien, enfermo)Tener (calor, frío, hambre, sed, sueño)

Imperfect Tense: Other UsesImperfect Tense: Other Uses

Había and hubo are forms of haber and both mean “there was, there were.”

Había is used to describe a situation that existed in the past, while hubo is used to say that an event took place.

Imperfect Tense: Other UsesImperfect Tense: Other Uses

Había mucho humo en el apartamento.

Hubo un terremoto ayer a las seis de la mañana.