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

RickA2Kwiziq 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 2 years ago
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MarshaC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

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

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InmaKwiziq team member

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 asked:View original

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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