Re: "Time markers that require the Imperfect" - Use of the present tense?

Question

Can't most of these time markers also be used in the present tense? Does the heading mean that if the past tense is used, then it must be the Imperfect? For people like me who are easily confused, could the heading be revised to clarify?

Accepted Answer

Hola Janet
Yes, most of these time markers talk about "frequency" (e.g. nunca, cada sábado, a menudo...) and we can of course, as you show on your sentences, express how frequently we do something in the present time or how frequently you did it in the past. So they are also very often used in the present time, not only in the imperfect.

Every day I eat lunch at noon.
Cada día almuerzo a las doce.
When I lived in France, I used to eat lunch at noon every day.
Cuando vivía en Francia, almorzaba a las doce cada día.

Answer

Hola JanetThis list is only indicative of the tense that is more often used with these time markers - they don't require the imperfect but generally they trigger it. There is also another similar list for the Indefinido, again, these are often markers used with this tense but they can also be used with other tenses. I changed the title though, now saying that they "often trigger" not that they "require". I hope that helps.SaludosInma

Answer

Thank you. Just for final clarification for me... the distinction is "every day I eat lunch at noon" (present tense) vs "every day I used to eat lunch at noon"? Or "every month I visit my aunt" (present?) vs "every month, I used to visit my aunt".

Answer

hi