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Is it better to use "El Pretérito Imperfecto" or the imperfect continuous here?

Rick N.A2Kwiziq community member

Is it better to use "El Pretérito Imperfecto" or the imperfect continuous here?

1Vosotros ________ las bebidas mientras nosotros comíamos.You were buying the drinks while we ate.(HINT: Conjugate "comprar" in El Pretérito Imperfecto.)comprabaiscompraréishabéis compradocomprar

Would it not be better to translate this  as "Estabais comprando las bebidas mientras comíamos." ?
This question relates to:Spanish lesson "Conjugate regular -ar verbs in the imperfect tense in Spanish (El Pretérito Imperfecto)"
Asked 3 years ago
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Marsha C.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

It's not necessarily better as both forms can be used.

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InmaKwiziq Head of Spanish, Native Spanish Teacher

Hola Rick

If you want to emphasise a bit more the "continuity" of the action you'd probably hear it more using the Imperfect continuous. Both are fine, though.

Inma

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Rick N. asked:

Is it better to use "El Pretérito Imperfecto" or the imperfect continuous here?

1Vosotros ________ las bebidas mientras nosotros comíamos.You were buying the drinks while we ate.(HINT: Conjugate "comprar" in El Pretérito Imperfecto.)comprabaiscompraréishabéis compradocomprar

Would it not be better to translate this  as "Estabais comprando las bebidas mientras comíamos." ?

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