How to choose present or past imperfect

Erika C.C1Kwiziq community member

How to choose present or past imperfect

The text says "Using  ir either in El Presente or El Pretérito Imperfecto (va a ..., iba a ...) is not related to whether the idea is something to do with the present, the past or the future." In that case how does one know which to choose? 
Asked 4 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola Erika,

what we mean in the lesson when we are saying that using the present or the imperfect doesn't relate to an event in the present or past, we mean that both tenses can be used equally, so, if I say for example:

- Nunca acabo mis redacciones a tiempo.

I never finish my essays on time.

Someone could either say:

- ¿Cómo vas a acabar a tiempo, si no te concentras?

or 

- ¿Cómo ibas a acabar a tiempo, si no te concentras?

How on earth would you finish on time if you don't [ever] concentrate?

So, we often alternate the present and the imperfect not having in mind if we are referring to something that is happening now or something that happened.

I hope this clarified it.

Inma

A. B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Claro is the correct response. I showed this to natives they said the "donde" response is incorrect. It doesn't mean "of course" even in this context. 

How to choose present or past imperfect

The text says "Using  ir either in El Presente or El Pretérito Imperfecto (va a ..., iba a ...) is not related to whether the idea is something to do with the present, the past or the future." In that case how does one know which to choose? 

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