This exercise

Nicole P.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

This exercise

I held my breath several times!

Kwizbot           ¡Aguanté la respiración varias veces! 
You                  ¡Aguantaba la respiración muchas veces!

To me this seems this would be  ongoing : that he held his breath while things were happening….

Could the imperfect be used as well in this case? 

Thank you, Nicole

Asked 5 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hola Nicole

I don't think it works well with the imperfect in this case. This is referring to something that happened several times while he was watching the trapeze act. The holding his breath is seen as a completed action even if it happened more than once, because you start and stop, then you start and stop again, etc. I hope this makes sense.

Inma

 

Nicole P.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Thank you Inma, yes it makes sense. 
Nicole P. asked:

This exercise

I held my breath several times!

Kwizbot           ¡Aguanté la respiración varias veces! 
You                  ¡Aguantaba la respiración muchas veces!

To me this seems this would be  ongoing : that he held his breath while things were happening….

Could the imperfect be used as well in this case? 

Thank you, Nicole

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