Forming El Pretérito Indefinido progresivo with estar + gerundio (past progressive)

Hi Papi,

yes, they are used in different ways. We use the past progressive with the Indefinido (simple past) when the ongoing action is "inside a timeframe in the past", however the past progressive with the Imperfecto (imperfect tense) is used to "describe" an ongoing action in the past without mentioning a specific timeframe. See these two examples: "El chico estuvo bailando durante una hora" (The boy was dancing for an hour)[timeframe] vs "El chico estaba bailando en la discoteca" (The boy was dancing in the disco)[descriptive].

We will have a lesson comparing these two tenses next week. 

Thanks for your question. I hope it is clear now.

Inma

Hola papi, we already know that translating"was" into Spanish can be difficult sometimes. The main difference between "estaba" and "estuvo" is that we use the imperfect tense when we have a background information of condition or location, but the timeframe is unknown or not relevant. It also gives a nuance of "ongoing". However, we will choose the preterite when the condition or location is within a more definite timeframe and the condition is no longer true or relevant. Since recently, we are creating usage lessons with main verbs like "ser", "estar", etc. explaining the difference of meaning when used in the past tense. Muchas gracias por tu comentario. Silvia

Inma, 

Thank you for responding!  However, I still need a little more clarification.  I the "Pretérito Imperfecto" section you state:

"I was at the supermarket" would be "Yo estaba/estuve en el supermercado." (from "estar")
"I went to the supermarket" would be "Yo iba/fui al supermercado." (from "ir")
Bear in mind that we can use both the Imperfecto (estaba) or the Indefinido (estuve) in the first sentence, as well as in the second sentence we could use the Imperfecto (iba) or the Indefinido (fui). 

- Does this imply that if you have a timeframe, then use the past progresive with "pretérito indefinitivo"?  Because, in your expanation in the "Pretérito Imperfecto" section, it appears that it may be possible that either may be used.  I am guessing that it is because there is no time frame stated.   Am I interpreting this correctly? Or am I missing the boat?!  

Hi Papi,

Thanks for coming back to us for more clarification. It is very important for us to make sure the lessons are very clear to everyone.

Despite using both progressive tenses (indefinido and imperfecto) to express ongoing actions in the past, as said before, the imperfect progressive will be used with a descriptive function and where the beginning and end of the action is not relevant. And the indefinido progresivo will be used when in the mind of the speaker there is a timeframe, with a beginning and an end, in which that ongoing action took place. Saying this, it is fair to say that it is more likely to find those time phrases when we use the Indefinido progresivo:

Carlos estuvo bailando de 10 a 12 de la noche.

Carlos estaba bailando.

However, you will also find sentences in El indefinido progresivo with no mention at all of a timeframe. That is because it is obvious in the conversation and it is not mentioned any more. When you see these, you need to think of it as an ongoing action in the past that had an end.

Have a look at this new lesson comparing both tenses that we promised last week. Please let us know if you still need more clarification as we understand the Imperfect and the Simple past need quite a lot of practice.

https://progress.lawlessspanish.com/revision/grammar/el-imperfecto-progresivo-vs-el-indefinido-progresivo-was-ing

Un saludo cordial

Inma