Introduction
The imperfect tense in Portuguese is used to describe ongoing, habitual, or incomplete actions in the past. It provides context to events that were in progress or repeated over time, rather than indicating a specific point in time when the action was completed.
Uses of the Imperfect Tense
- Ongoing Actions in the Past: Use the imperfect to describe actions that were happening over a period of time.
- Repeated or Habitual Actions: It's ideal for actions that occurred regularly in the past.
- Descriptions in the Past: Employ the imperfect for setting scenes, describing circumstances, or giving background information.
- Incomplete Actions: When the focus is on the process rather than the completion, the imperfect is appropriate.
- Mental States or Feelings: Use the imperfect to express thoughts, emotions, or states of mind in the past.
Conjugation of Regular Verbs
-AR Verbs
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|
| Eu | falava |
| Tu | falavas |
| Ele/Ela/Você | falava |
| Nós | falávamos |
| Vós | faláveis |
| Eles/Elas/Vocês | falavam |
-ER Verbs
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|
| Eu | comia |
| Tu | comias |
| Ele/Ela/Você | comia |
| Nós | comíamos |
| Vós | comíeis |
| Eles/Elas/Vocês | comiam |
-IR Verbs
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|
| Eu | abria |
| Tu | abrias |
| Ele/Ela/Você | abria |
| Nós | abríamos |
| Vós | abríeis |
| Eles/Elas/Vocês | abriam |
Examples in Sentences
- Ongoing Action: "Ela assistia à televisão quando eu cheguei."
- (She was watching TV when I arrived.)
- Habitual Action: "Nós jogávamos futebol todos os sábados."
- (We played soccer every Saturday.)
- Description: "O carro era vermelho e tinha duas portas."
- (The car was red and had two doors.)
- Mental State: "Eu sentia medo no escuro."
- (I felt afraid in the dark.)
Irregular Verbs in the Imperfect Tense
Some verbs in Portuguese have irregular conjugations in the imperfect tense. Here are a few common ones:
"Ser" (to be)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|
| Eu | era |
| Tu | eras |
| Ele/Ela/Você | era |
| Nós | éramos |
| Vós | éreis |
| Eles/Elas/Vocês | eram |
- Example: "Eu era professor."
"Ir" (to go)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|
| Eu | ia |
| Tu | ias |
| Ele/Ela/Você | ia |
| Nós | íamos |
| Vós | íeis |
| Eles/Elas/Vocês | iam |
- Example: "Nós íamos ao parque todos os dias."
- (We went to the park every day.)
"Ver" (to see)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|
| Eu | via |
| Tu | vias |
| Ele/Ela/Você | via |
| Nós | víamos |
| Vós | víeis |
| Eles/Elas/Vocês | viam |
- Example: "Ela via televisão toda noite."
- (She watched TV every night.)
Key Differences: Imperfect vs. Preterite
In Portuguese, the imperfect tense is often contrasted with the preterite tense, which is used for actions that are completed or have a defined endpoint in the past. Understanding the distinction between these two past tenses is crucial for conveying the correct nuance in your sentences.
Imperfect Tense
- Function: Describes ongoing, habitual, or incomplete actions in the past. It sets the scene or provides background information.
- Example: "Eu jogava futebol quando era criança."
- (I used to play soccer when I was a child.)
- The focus is on the repetition or ongoing nature of the action.
Preterite Tense
- Function: Used for actions that are completed, specific, or have a clear beginning and end in the past.
- Example: "Eu joguei futebol ontem."
- (I played soccer yesterday.)
- The action is completed and specific to a particular point in time.
Comparison in Context
- Imperfect: "Ela estudava para a prova."
- (She was studying for the exam.) — The action is ongoing or in progress, without specifying when it ended.
- Preterite: "Ela estudou para a prova."
- (She studied for the exam.) — The action is completed and indicates a specific time frame.
Additional Examples
- Imperfect: "Nós morávamos em Lisboa."
- (We lived in Lisbon.) — Suggests a continuous or habitual situation.
- Preterite: "Nós moramos em Lisboa por dois anos."
- (We lived in Lisbon for two years.) — The duration is defined and the action is complete.
Conclusion
The imperfect tense is an essential tool in Portuguese for describing the past in a way that highlights continuity, habit, or incompletion. By using the imperfect, you can convey the nuance of actions that were in progress or repeated over time.
