Chapter 26 Imperfect Tense

Lesson Objectives To learn to conjugate verbs in the imperfect tenseTo learn to conjugate verbs in the imperfect tense To understand what the imperfect tense means and how or when to use itTo understand what the imperfect tense means and how or when to use it To learn the imperfect forms of the ‘to be’ verbTo learn the imperfect forms of the ‘to be’ verb

The Imperfect Tense Words in the imperfect tense show action or being as repeated, customary, or continuous. In other words, NOT perfectly completed (which is what perfect tense tells us).Words in the imperfect tense show action or being as repeated, customary, or continuous. In other words, NOT perfectly completed (which is what perfect tense tells us). Imperfect is translated into English by using:Imperfect is translated into English by using: Was, were, used to, kept, would, tried to (note – was and were are just ‘simple’ past tense, which is ok to use as the translation)

Conjugating Imperfect Tense The ‘tense sign’ for imperfect tense is –ba-. This is added to the present stem and then personal endings are added to the end. NOTE – the personal ending for 1 st person singular is –m.The ‘tense sign’ for imperfect tense is –ba-. This is added to the present stem and then personal endings are added to the end. NOTE – the personal ending for 1 st person singular is –m. portabamportabamus portabasportabatis portabatportabant

The Imperfect form of ‘to be’ erameramus eraseratis eraterant