Preterite vs imperfect

Barbara F.C1Kwiziq community member

Preterite vs imperfect

"I couldn't find her so I left" - I put encontre (with an accent) because it was a completed action. I thought that encontraba would be the past continuous. Am I misunderstanding something?

This question relates to:Spanish lesson "Verbs ver, oír, escuchar, oler, sentir, encontrar in the imperfect"

Asked 11 months ago

Like1Answer1

InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola Barbara

Your answer using the main verb encontrar in the preterite: encontré is grammatically correct, but the meaning and the nuance that we are referring to in the hint "expressing couldn't" is not reflected in the preterite. The lesson specifies that nuance with the imperfect tense, not other past tenses.

I hope it clarified it.

Saludos cordiales

Inma

Like111 months ago

Barbara F. asked:

Preterite vs imperfect

"I couldn't find her so I left" - I put encontre (with an accent) because it was a completed action. I thought that encontraba would be the past continuous. Am I misunderstanding something?

Don't have an account yet? Join today

« Must the formal include the article? what is the rule? »

Ask a question

Find your Spanish level for FREE

Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard

Find your Spanish level