Preterite and imperfect of stative verbs El pretérito y el imperfecto de verbos de estado
Preterite and imperfect of stative verbs Stative verbs express situations or states of being rather than actions. Stative verbs include: SER ESTAR TENER when used in an idiomatic expression and not being used to talk about possession of things.
Preterite and imperfect of stative verbs The imperfect is typically used to describe past situations or states. In this case, the imperfect gives background information.
Preterite and imperfect of stative verbs When the preterite is used, the change into or out of a state resembles an action and can require a different translation in English. The preterite is also used to express the duration of past situations or states.
Preterite and imperfect of stative verbs estar was (for an unspecified period of time) was (for a specified period of time) ser was (for an unspecified period of time) was (sums up a situation or event that ended) tener had “got” (suddenly had) tener que had to (but did not necessarily do it) had to (and did)
Preterite and imperfect of stative verbs Quería verte, pero no estabas. Estuve en Perú en mayo. I wanted to see you, but you weren’t there. I was in Perú in May. Mis padres eran muy trabajadores. Su apoyo fue muy importante. My parents were very hardworking. Their support was very important.
Preterite and imperfect of stative verbs Isa y yo teníamos la misma idea para el proyecto. Leo tuvo una gran idea. Isa and I had the same idea for the project. Leo got (suddenly had) a great idea. Yo tenía que hacer la tarea pero lo dejé para mañana. Como tuve que hacer la tarea, no salí. I had to do my homework but I left it for tomorrow. Since I had to do homework, I didn’t go out.