Imperfect-Tense Grammar A lesson on how to use it
The use of the imperfect grammar is for an action that was happening, used to happen, and/or happened regularly. Imperfect is, also, used for age, descriptions, feelings, time, and weather.
There's a key English word that should trigger one to use the Imperfect-Tense when speaking, or creating a Spanish sentence: the word is "was". For example, "when I was eight..."; "it was so cold, yesterday..."; so on and so forth.
Imperfect-Tense Rules
When speaking of past age and weather, you're always going to use the Imperfect-Tense; especially if it was interrupted by a preterite (such as "yesterday"). "When I was a child..." "Cuando era niña..." & "It was hot, last week," "Estaba caliente, la semana pesada,".
When wanting to convey time, or dates, you use the verb "era". "It was noon when..." "Era la media hora cuando..."
When wanting to convey feelings you use the verb "estaba" (estar). "I was happy, when I was six," "Estaba feliz, cuando era seis,".
When wanting to describe looks you use the verb "era". "She was very pretty," "Ella era muy bonita,".
When describing the mental/emotional state of yourself, or someone else, you use the Imperfect-Tense. "I was happy with my new job." "Me sentía feliz con my trabajo nuevo."
