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

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 2 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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InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

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: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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