El Pretérito Imperfecto vs Preterito

Karen G.A2Kwiziq community member

El Pretérito Imperfecto vs Preterito

Yo ________ por la ciudad cuando lo ví.I was walking around in the city when I saw him.(HINT: Conjugate "caminar" in El Pretérito Imperfecto.)
I don't understand why this is El Pretérito Imperfecto rather than only past tense.
Asked 3 years ago
Marsha C.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

The imperfecto is a past tense. In the sentence we are describing an action that was in progress/happening in the past i.e. walking in the city. So we use the imperfecto. 

See link for lesson - 

Using the imperfect tense in Spanish to "describe" a situation in the past

InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola Karen

Yes, Marsha's explanation is correct and she referred you to the right lesson.

Saludos

Inma

El Pretérito Imperfecto vs Preterito

Yo ________ por la ciudad cuando lo ví.I was walking around in the city when I saw him.(HINT: Conjugate "caminar" in El Pretérito Imperfecto.)
I don't understand why this is El Pretérito Imperfecto rather than only past tense.

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