Chapter 26Chapter 26

Imperfect TenseImperfect Tense

Lesson ObjectivesLesson Objectives

• To learn to conjugate verbs in To learn to conjugate verbs in the imperfect tensethe imperfect tense

• To understand what the To understand what the imperfect tense means and how imperfect tense means and how or when to use itor when to use it

• To learn the imperfect forms of To learn the imperfect forms of the ‘to be’ verbthe ‘to be’ verb

The Imperfect TenseThe Imperfect Tense• Words in the imperfect tense show Words in the imperfect tense show

action or being as repeated, action or being as repeated, customary, or continuous. In other customary, or continuous. In other words, NOT perfectly completed words, NOT perfectly completed (which is what perfect tense tells us).(which is what perfect tense tells us).

• Imperfect is translated into English Imperfect is translated into English by using:by using:

Was, were, used to , kept, would, Was, were, used to , kept, would, tried to (note – was and were are just tried to (note – was and were are just ‘simple’ past tense, which is ok to ‘simple’ past tense, which is ok to use as the translation)use as the translation)

Conjugating Imperfect Conjugating Imperfect TenseTense

• The ‘tense sign’ for imperfect tense is –The ‘tense sign’ for imperfect tense is –ba-. This is added to the present stem ba-. This is added to the present stem and then personal endings are added to and then personal endings are added to the end. NOTE – the personal ending for the end. NOTE – the personal ending for 11stst person singular is – person singular is –mm..

portabamportabam portabamusportabamus

portabasportabas portabatisportabatis

portabatportabat portabantportabant

The Imperfect form of ‘to The Imperfect form of ‘to be’be’

erameram eramuseramus

eraseras eratiseratis

eraterat eranterant