Aquella sombrilla estaba rota.

Ross A.B2Kwiziq community member

Aquella sombrilla estaba rota.

Hi, I have a question about the grammar of this sentence. I apologize it doesn’t have to do with “aquella.” Just wondering  about the use of “estaba.” Why not “estuvo?” For something to be broken is that not permanent? Or is it because it was fixed that it “used to be broken”? Am I over thinking this?

Asked 3 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola Ross

We are using estaba rota (not estuvo rota) because this sentence is "descriptive" and  there is no interest in highlighting any timeframe. Here's a lesson that talks about this. Have a look

Saludos

Inma

 

Ross A. asked:

Aquella sombrilla estaba rota.

Hi, I have a question about the grammar of this sentence. I apologize it doesn’t have to do with “aquella.” Just wondering  about the use of “estaba.” Why not “estuvo?” For something to be broken is that not permanent? Or is it because it was fixed that it “used to be broken”? Am I over thinking this?

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