Using Spanish verb tener in the imperfect vs the preterite

The verb tener changes its meaning depending on whether it is used in El Pretérito Imperfecto or in El Pretérito Indefinido.

Tener in El Pretérito Imperfecto

Read and listen to these examples with verb tener in El Pretérito Imperfecto:

Marcos tenía un coche nuevo.Marcos had a new car.

El pueblo tenía muchos visitantes.The village had many visitors.

In the examples above, there is no definite beginning or end for the actions.

 

Tener in El Pretérito Indefinido

Now, read and listen to these examples with verb tener in El Pretérito Indefinido:

Marcos tuvo un coche nuevo.Marcos received a new car.

El pueblo tuvo muchos visitantes.The village received many visitors.

In the examples above, the verb "tener" is used with a stronger nuance meaning to get or to receive. Moreover, it conveys the idea that the situations described above are no longer current, and that at the moment of speaking things are different.

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Examples and resources

Marcos tuvo un coche nuevo.Marcos received a new car.
El pueblo tuvo muchos visitantes.The village received many visitors.
Marcos tenía un coche nuevo.Marcos had a new car.
El pueblo tenía muchos visitantes.The village had many visitors.
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