Latin Grammar The Use of the Imperfect Tense (Grammar 4A, pp )

Aspect  We now are learning the imperfect tense.  It is the second past tense we have learned in Latin.  Some time ago we learned the perfect.  To understand the difference between the perfect and imperfect tense, we need to discuss aspect.

Aspect  The difference between the imperfect tense and the perfect tense is not one of time.  It is one of aspect, that is the way the action of the verb is portrayed.

Aspect  Here’s an example of aspect in English. I ran I was running

Imperfect and Perfect  In Latin, actions in the past can be presented as perfect or imperfect actions.  Perfect actions are presented as complete.  Imperfect actions are presented as incomplete.

Perfect Actions PRESENT PAST mīles scolasticōs pipere sparsit.

Imperfect Tense

Imperfect Actions PAST PRESENT mīles scolasticōs pipere spargēbat. PAST

Imperfect Actions  The imperfect presents actions in the past as if they were being witnessed by a contemporary observer.  The imperfect is the projection onto the past of a present perspective.  By the way, that’s why it is formed using the first principal part of verbs, the present.

Translating  There are three ways a verb can indicate present action. 1. An action is going on right now. I am eating dinner now. 2. An action is repeated. I always eat dinner at A verb indicates a state. I believe you.

Translating  That means that an verb in the imperfect can have three interpretations. 1. An action was going on at that time. I was eating dinner then. 2. An action was repeated. I always ate dinner at A verb indicates that a state of being occurred. I believed you.

Translating  All these are expressed by the imperfect in Latin 1. An action was going on at that time. I was eating dinner then = tum cēnābam. 2. An action was repeated. I ate dinner always at 6 = duodecimā hōrā semper cēnābam. 3. A verb indicates that a state of being occurred. I believed you = tibi crēdēbam

Translating  Actions that are ongoing at some fixed time in the past in English are indicated by the past progressive. tum cēnābam = I was eating then..

Translating  Repeated action in English in the past is indicated by the simple past or “used to.” duodecimā hōrā semper cēnābam = I always ate at 6 o’clock. = I always used to eat at 6 o’clock.

Translating  States in English tend to be in the simple past.  In Latin, because they are thought of as being in process, they usually are in the imperfect. tibi crēdēbam = I believed you.

Translating  Finally, do note that the perfect in Latin implies that an action came to its natural conclusion.  The imperfect does not. portam aperuī portam aperiēbam = I was opening the gate (but failed) = I began to open the gate = I tried to open the gate