- Characteristics of the copreterite
- Security of the facts
- Example
- Temporal relationship
- Example
- Simultaneity
- Example
- Expression of habits
- Example
- Possibility of conservation
- Example
- Courtesy
- Example
- Examples of verbs in copreterite
- More examples
- More examples
The verbs in copretérito are those used to indicate actions or events that happened in the past. The specific moment is not determined, but its duration was extended. On the other hand, these types of verbs are also known as the past imperfect.
Another way of defining verbs in copreterite is as acts that began in the past tense, but do not indicate whether they were completed or completed. The following sentence is an example of what is described: "The girl was crying inconsolably for her doll."
Examples of copreterite in black
Now, this class of verbs have different characteristics, each of them is subject to the context in which the facts occur. Some of the most important are: the security of pointing out that an event occurred with complete security in a distant time and as a temporary link between two acts that were carried out simultaneously in the past.
Characteristics of the copreterite
Copreterite verbs are used to indicate actions in the past tense, without determining the specific moment. Source: pixabay.com.
As mentioned in previous lines, verbs in copreterite present some characteristics of use, which depend on the scope or context in which the actions take place. Some of them are described below:
Security of the facts
In this case, the verbs in copreterite provide security in relation to a fact or event that happened in a time that has already passed and that is distant.
Example
In prehistoric times, men had stone tools.
Temporal relationship
Copreterite verbs can be temporally related in sentences with two tenses. One indicates that an action is not known when it ended (imperfect) and the other is in the past. Therefore the culmination of an event related to the context is signaled.
Example
I was cooking when Laura arrived.
Simultaneity
Copreterite verbs are characterized because they can create a temporary union between two actions that occurred in the past and at the same time, that is, simultaneously.
Example
"We played tennis, while the neighbors played basketball."
Expression of habits
Copreterite verbs have the ability to manifest or express tasks or habits that occurred in the past, but the sentence structure must be accompanied by the conjugated verb "used to" and an infinitive (ending in ar, er, go).
Example
I used to walk in the mornings.
Possibility of conservation
This variety of verbs describes situations in the past with specific characteristics, which perhaps preserve the possibility of having them in a present tense.
Example
The sofa in the living room was comfortable.
Courtesy
At the level of exchange of ideas, verbs in copreterites can express courtesy, sympathy or kindness.
Example
Good morning, were you looking for something specific?
Examples of verbs in copreterite
- Yesterday I was walking through the living room of the house.
- Marcela and I used to walk on the beach.
- Manuel went with his friends everywhere.
- The children were not silent in the classes.
- Politicians argued about immigration reform.
- The ants invaded the nests of the birds.
- Miguel only repeated the name of his beloved on his deathbed.
- The child was crying because of the toothache.
- Soldiers wrote letters that never reached their families.
- My aunt knew that I would call her to inform her about the situation.
- Juan and Natalia felt a deep love.
- The teller told them to count the money before leaving the bank.
- I used my dad's car to go to parties.
- The shortest students sat in the front rows.
- The athletes ran every morning.
- At that time my grandfather and I were going up the mountain.
- We understood the math teacher perfectly.
- They used to notify us when the bus was damaged.
- Daniel became more like his mother over the years.
- My parents worked every day to earn more money.
- My sister screamed with euphoria at the concert.
- Luis arrived when I was preparing dinner.
- Adriana studied the same degree as José.
- The children played baseball on the weekends.
- Sofia ran in the park, while her parents talked.
- The neighbor watered the plants every two days.
- Ana and Alejandra rode bicycles every afternoon.
More examples
- It rained heavily every winter day.
- Josefa ate much more than she does now.
- The audience laughed out loud with the grace of the monkeys.
- My husband cleaned the patio while I made lunch.
- Luis came to class at the same time every day.
- I read horror stories before going to sleep.
- Mr. David, did you need anything else?
- Camila and Julia used to travel on vacation.
- A storm was approaching North American territory.
- The cowboy rode across the meadow in the mornings.
- The brothers hugged each time they saw each other.
- The gossip said that he had committed suicide.
- The dog was passing through the patio door.
- Pablo and Nicolás talked a lot in class.
- My friends didn't study for exams.
- My grandmother said that friends were few.
- The defendant's lawyer had no arguments for the defense.
- The boy jumped while his mother tried to dress him.
- Catalina was delighted with the performance of her favorite singer.
- The rooster crowed as soon as the sun rose.
- Keys were hung behind the door.
- Pilar and I looked carefully at the artist's paintings.
- The students followed the teacher's guidance.
- He stayed in bed all day.
- Maria would have more money if she hadn't been stolen.
- If I wanted, I'm going to Paris right now.
- If Enrique ate more fruits, he would be healthier.
More examples
- The house would be cleaner if the children had ordered the toys.
- Susana looked out the window while the rain fell.
- Amanda was happy for the arrival of her nephew.
- I ate a lot of sweets in my childhood.
- Roberta dreamed of being a dancer.
- As a child I longed for the arrival of the Child Jesus.
- The men prepared the meat and the women talked.
- My grandparents listened to the radio in the afternoons.
- My friend and I used to talk more often.
- I needed your help, that's why I called you.
- The stores closed at midnight.
- The streets of the municipality lacked public lighting.
- The bagpipes were heard in every home in Mexico.