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

Karen G. asked:

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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