Imperfect Tense Flashcards
Imperfect tense
- “Used to”
- “was——ing” (was shopping, was driving, etc.)
- routines
estar
temporary to be
ser
permanent to be
ar
yo aba
tu abas
El aba
nosotros abamos
vosotros abais
Ellos aban
er
yo ia
tu ias
El ia
nosotros iamos
vosotros iais
Ellos ian
ir
yo ia
tu ias
El ia
nosotros iamos
vosotros iais
Ellos ian
yo (ar)
aba
tu (ar)
abas
El(ar)
aba
nosotros(ar)
abamos
vosotros(ar)
abais
Ellos(ar)
aban
yo(er/ir)
ia
tu(er/ir)
ias
El(er/ir)
ia
nosotros(er/ir)
iamos
vosotros(er/ir)
iais
Ellos(er/ir)
ian
ir (irregular)
- to go
yo iba
tu ibas
El iba
nosotros ibamos
vosotros ibais
Ellos iban
ser (irregular)
- to be (permanent)
yo era
tu eras
El era
nosotros eramos
vosotros erais
Ellos eran
ver (irregular)
- to see
yo veia
tu veias
El veia
nosotros veiamos
vosotros veiais
Ellos veian
What is the imperfect tense used for?
- Incomplete actions - Actions in progress
- Habitual Actions
- Description
- Telling time
Mis abuelos iban al parque cuando vieron la nave especial.
- incomplete actions - actions in progress
My grandparents were going to the park when they saw the spaceship.
Leia’s El Nuevo libero de Jorge Ramos cuando sono la alarm.
- incomplete actions - action in progress
You were reading the new book of Jorge Ramos when the alarm went off.
Esta manana a las nueve serviamos El desayuno mientras las clients lo comian.
(incomplete actions, action in progress)
At nine this morning, we were serving breakfast while the clients were eating it.
De nino, siempre obedecia a mis padres
(Habitual Actions)
As a kid, I always would obey my parents.
Nomar Garciaparra hablaba Espanol en casa cuando era joven.
(Habitual Actions)
Nomar Garciaparra used to speak Spanish at home when he was young.
La mesa estaba puesta con cubiertos de Plata.
(Description)
The table was set with silver place settings.
Los chicos parecian frustrados porque no pudieron conseguir entradas.
(Description)
The kids seemed frustrated because they weren’t able to get tickets.
Eran las Cinco y media cuando termino El programa.
(Telling time)
It was five-thirty when the program ended.
Era la una y diez cuando por fin comenzo El concerto de Jay-Z y Justin Timberlake.
(Telling time)
It was 1:10 when the Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake concert finally started.
