Learning to master the imperfect tense in Portuguese is an essential step in achieving fluency. The imperfect tense, or “pretérito imperfeito” in Portuguese, is used to describe actions that were ongoing or habitual in the past. Unlike the simple past tense, which describes actions that were completed, the imperfect tense paints a picture of what was happening at a particular time or what used to happen regularly. This tense is crucial for storytelling, giving background information, and expressing past habits or continuous actions.
When to Use the Imperfect Tense
The imperfect tense is used in several specific contexts:
1. **Habitual Actions in the Past**: To describe actions that used to happen repeatedly.
– Example: “Quando eu era criança, eu brincava no parque todos os dias.” (When I was a child, I used to play in the park every day.)
2. **Ongoing Actions in the Past**: To describe actions that were happening at a particular moment in the past.
– Example: “Enquanto eu estudava, minha mãe cozinhava.” (While I was studying, my mother was cooking.)
3. **Descriptions in the Past**: To provide background information, including physical and emotional states or characteristics.
– Example: “A casa era grande e tinha um jardim bonito.” (The house was big and had a beautiful garden.)
4. **Actions Interrupted by Another Action**: To describe an action that was ongoing when another action occurred.
– Example: “Eu lia um livro quando ele chegou.” (I was reading a book when he arrived.)
Forming the Imperfect Tense
Conjugating verbs in the imperfect tense in Portuguese is relatively straightforward once you understand the patterns. The conjugation depends on the verb endings: -ar, -er, and -ir verbs. Below are the general conjugation rules for each type of verb.
-ar Verbs
For -ar verbs, remove the -ar ending and add the following endings:
– **Eu**: -ava
– **Tu**: -avas
– **Ele/Ela/Você**: -ava
– **Nós**: -ávamos
– **Vós**: -áveis
– **Eles/Elas/Vocês**: -avam
Example with the verb “falar” (to speak):
– **Eu** falava (I used to speak)
– **Tu** falavas (You used to speak)
– **Ele/Ela/Você** falava (He/She/You used to speak)
– **Nós** falávamos (We used to speak)
– **Vós** faláveis (You all used to speak)
– **Eles/Elas/Vocês** falavam (They/You all used to speak)
-er Verbs
For -er verbs, remove the -er ending and add the following endings:
– **Eu**: -ia
– **Tu**: -ias
– **Ele/Ela/Você**: -ia
– **Nós**: -íamos
– **Vós**: -íeis
– **Eles/Elas/Vocês**: -iam
Example with the verb “comer” (to eat):
– **Eu** comia (I used to eat)
– **Tu** comias (You used to eat)
– **Ele/Ela/Você** comia (He/She/You used to eat)
– **Nós** comíamos (We used to eat)
– **Vós** comíeis (You all used to eat)
– **Eles/Elas/Vocês** comiam (They/You all used to eat)
-ir Verbs
For -ir verbs, remove the -ir ending and add the following endings:
– **Eu**: -ia
– **Tu**: -ias
– **Ele/Ela/Você**: -ia
– **Nós**: -íamos
– **Vós**: -íeis
– **Eles/Elas/Vocês**: -iam
Example with the verb “abrir” (to open):
– **Eu** abria (I used to open)
– **Tu** abrias (You used to open)
– **Ele/Ela/Você** abria (He/She/You used to open)
– **Nós** abríamos (We used to open)
– **Vós** abríeis (You all used to open)
– **Eles/Elas/Vocês** abriam (They/You all used to open)
Irregular Verbs in the Imperfect Tense
While most verbs follow the regular conjugation patterns, there are a few common irregular verbs in the imperfect tense. Let’s look at the conjugation of some of these irregular verbs.
Ser (to be)
– **Eu** era (I was)
– **Tu** eras (You were)
– **Ele/Ela/Você** era (He/She/You were)
– **Nós** éramos (We were)
– **Vós** éreis (You all were)
– **Eles/Elas/Vocês** eram (They/You all were)
Ter (to have)
– **Eu** tinha (I had)
– **Tu** tinhas (You had)
– **Ele/Ela/Você** tinha (He/She/You had)
– **Nós** tínhamos (We had)
– **Vós** tínheis (You all had)
– **Eles/Elas/Vocês** tinham (They/You all had)
Vir (to come)
– **Eu** vinha (I came)
– **Tu** vinhas (You came)
– **Ele/Ela/Você** vinha (He/She/You came)
– **Nós** vínhamos (We came)
– **Vós** vínheis (You all came)
– **Eles/Elas/Vocês** vinham (They/You all came)
Por (to put)
– **Eu** punha (I put)
– **Tu** punhas (You put)
– **Ele/Ela/Você** punha (He/She/You put)
– **Nós** púnhamos (We put)
– **Vós** púnheis (You all put)
– **Eles/Elas/Vocês** punham (They/You all put)
Practical Tips for Mastering the Imperfect Tense
Understanding the rules and conjugations is one thing, but being able to use the imperfect tense fluently takes practice. Here are some practical tips to help you master the imperfect tense in Portuguese:
Practice with Common Verbs
Start by practicing the imperfect tense with common verbs. Make flashcards with the infinitive on one side and the conjugated forms on the other. Regular practice will help reinforce these forms in your memory.
Read and Listen to Portuguese
Immerse yourself in Portuguese by reading books, articles, and listening to podcasts or watching shows. Pay attention to how the imperfect tense is used in context. This will help you understand the nuances of when and how to use it correctly.
Write About Your Past
Take some time to write about your own past experiences using the imperfect tense. Write about your childhood, your daily routines in the past, or any ongoing actions that were happening at a particular time. This will give you practical experience in using the tense.
Speak with Native Speakers
If you have the opportunity, practice speaking with native Portuguese speakers. Engaging in conversations will give you real-world practice and help you become more comfortable using the imperfect tense naturally.
Use Language Learning Apps
There are many language learning apps available that can help you practice Portuguese conjugations and grammar. Apps like Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise offer exercises specifically designed to reinforce grammar rules, including the imperfect tense.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
As with learning any new grammatical structure, there are common mistakes that learners often make when using the imperfect tense. Being aware of these can help you avoid them:
Confusing the Imperfect with the Preterite
One of the most common mistakes is confusing the imperfect tense with the preterite tense (pretérito perfeito). Remember, the imperfect tense is used for ongoing or habitual actions in the past, while the preterite is used for actions that were completed.
Example:
– Incorrect: “Eu falei com ela todos os dias.” (I spoke with her every day.)
– Correct: “Eu falava com ela todos os dias.” (I used to speak with her every day.)
Incorrect Endings
Another common mistake is using the wrong verb endings. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the correct endings for -ar, -er, and -ir verbs, as well as the irregular verbs.
Example:
– Incorrect: “Ele comia muito quando era criança.” (He used to eat a lot when he was a child. – Correct form)
– Incorrect: “Ele comava muito quando era criança.” (Incorrect form)
Overusing the Imperfect Tense
While the imperfect tense is useful, it’s important to use it in the right context. Avoid overusing it when the preterite tense would be more appropriate.
Example:
– Incorrect: “Ontem, eu estudava por três horas.” (Yesterday, I was studying for three hours.)
– Correct: “Ontem, eu estudei por três horas.” (Yesterday, I studied for three hours.)
Conclusion
Mastering the imperfect tense in Portuguese is a vital part of becoming fluent in the language. It allows you to describe past habits, ongoing actions, and provide background information, making your speech and writing more nuanced and expressive. By understanding the conjugation rules, practicing regularly, and avoiding common mistakes, you can become proficient in using the imperfect tense. Remember to immerse yourself in the language through reading, listening, writing, and speaking, and soon you’ll find yourself using the imperfect tense naturally and confidently. Happy learning!
