Translation differences Comí una ensalada. I ate (and finished) a salad. Comía una ensalada. or I was eating a salad (when something happened), I used to eat a salad. Ella tuvo que hacer la tarea. She had to do (and did) her homework. Ella que hacer la tarea. tenía She had to do her homework, but it is uncertain if she actually did it. Ayer a las tres de la tarde: llovió It rained (briefly, then quit) at 3 pm yesterday. Ayer llovía a las tres de la tarde: It was raining at 3 pm yesterday. Yo fui a la casa de mi abuela. I went to my It was an action that was completed. grandma’s house. Yo iba a la casa de mi abuela. I used to go to my It was something I did repeatedly. grandma’s house. David habló por teléfono. David talked on the phone and the conversation ended. David hablaba por teléfono cuando empezó la tormenta. David was talking on the phone when the that was the but interrupted by another storm began….an activity occurring “in background”, action.
Translation differences Comí una ensalada. I ate (and finished) a salad. Comía una ensalada. I was eating a salad (when something happened), or I used to eat a salad. Ella tuvo que hacer la tarea. She had to do (and did) her homework. Ella tenía que hacer la tarea. She had to do her homework, but it is uncertain if she actually did it. Ayer llovió a las tres de la tarde: It rained (briefly, then quit) at 3 pm yesterday. Ayer llovía a las tres de la tarde: It was raining at 3 pm yesterday. Yo fui a la casa de mi abuela. I went to my grandma’s house. It was an action that was completed. Yo iba a la casa de mi abuela. I used to go to my grandma’s house. It was something I did repeatedly. David habló por teléfono. David talked on the phone and the conversation ended. David hablaba por teléfono cuando empezó la tormenta. David was talking on the phone when the storm began….an activity that was occurring “in the background”, but interrupted by another action.