Imperfect Continuous

Question 1

What is the imperfect continuous?

Answer 1

The imperfect continuous refers to an action that was taking place whilst another was happening
(He was reading when the phone rang)

Question 1

How do you form the imperfect continuous?

Answer 1

Using the correct form of ‘estar’ in the imperfect + a + the infinitive
(O meu irmão estava a ler quando o seu amigo chegou - My brother was reading when his friend arrived)

Question 2

Which other tense is the imperfect continuous normally paired with?

Answer 2

The preterite

‘X was doing something until Y did this’
X is the imperfect continuous
Y is the preterite