One of the most frequent challenges for learners of European Portuguese as a foreign language is understanding the differences between verb tenses used to talk about the past. Two of these are often confused: the Imperfect Past (Pretérito Imperfeito) and the Simple Past (Pretérito Perfeito Simples) of the Indicative mood.
Both refer to past actions, but they convey different ideas about how those actions happened. In this article, we’ll explore these two verb tenses, explain their differences, and provide clear examples to help students and language enthusiasts use them with more confidence.
The Imperfect Past: the ongoing past
The Imperfect Past is used to describe past actions that were ongoing, habitual, or that serve as a background to other actions. This tense conveys the idea of continuity, repetition, or a prolonged situation in the past. In other words, the focus is on the process, not the conclusion of the action.
Example:
Quando era criança, brincava todos os dias no jardim. (When I was a child, I used to play in the garden every day.)
In this case, the action of playing was habitual, occurred frequently, and we don’t know when it ended. What matters is that it was part of a past routine.
Example:
Ontem às 10h, estava a ler um livro quando o telefone tocou. (Yesterday at 10 a.m., I was reading a book when the phone rang.)
Here, the verb “estava a ler” indicates an action in progress, interrupted by another (the phone call). The Imperfect Past helps to set the scene of the narrative.
This tense is also used to describe emotional, physical, or mental states in the past.
Example:
Estava muito cansado e queria descansar um pouco. (I was very tired and wanted to rest a little.)
The Simple Past: the completed past
The Simple Past, on the other hand, is used to describe actions that happened and were completed in the past. This verb tense conveys the idea of a specific, finished action with a defined beginning and end. The focus is on the result or completion of the action.
Example:
Ontem li um livro inteiro. (Yesterday I read an entire book.)
Here, the action of reading the book was completed. It wasn’t ongoing or interrupted; it happened and ended.
Example:
No ano passado, viajei para o Brasil. (Last year I traveled to Brazil.)
The trip occurred at a specific moment in the past and was completed. The Simple Past is ideal for recounting completed events.
Process vs. Result: the key difference
An easy way to understand the difference between these two tenses is to think in terms of process versus result. The Imperfect Past describes the process, the ongoing or repeated action. The Simple Past describes the result, the completed action.
Comparative example:
- Quando era jovem, corria todos os dias. (When I was young, I used to run every day.)
- Ontem de manhã, corri 10 quilómetros. (Yesterday morning, I ran 10 kilometers.)
The distinction may seem subtle, but it is crucial for clarity in communication. The choice of verb tense changes the meaning of the sentence.
Narratives and context
In storytelling, both tenses often appear together. The Imperfect Past is used to set the scene, while the Simple Past marks the main events.
Example:
Era um dia de chuva. As pessoas caminhavam depressa pela rua, algumas seguravam guarda-chuvas. De repente, um carro parou bruscamente e o condutor saiu a correr. (It was a rainy day. People were walking quickly down the street, some holding umbrellas. Suddenly, a car stopped abruptly and the driver ran out.)
In this passage, the verbs “era”, “caminhavam” and “seguravam” create the background, while “parou” and “saiu” signal the events that move the story forward.
Common mistakes by learners
Learners of European Portuguese often use the Simple Past in situations that require the Imperfect, and vice versa. This is normal, as many languages don’t make these distinctions in the same way.
Example:
Ontem às 8h, tomei o pequeno-almoço. (Yesterday at 8 a.m., I ate breakfast.)
This sentence is correct if the intention is to say the action was completed. But if the idea is to highlight that the person was eating at that time, the more appropriate form would be:
Ontem às 8h, estava a tomar o pequeno-almoço. (Yesterday at 8 a.m., I was eating breakfast.)
Another example:
Quando eu era criança, li muitos livros. (When I was a child, I read many books.)
This sentence gives the idea that reading was a one-time action. If the intention is to say that reading was a frequent activity, the correct form would be:
- Quando eu era criança, lia muitos livros. (When I was a child, I used to read many books.)
Tense, aspect, and meaning
The difference between the Imperfect and the Simple Past isn’t just about time, but also about aspect. Verbal aspect refers to how the action is viewed: as ongoing, habitual, or completed.
The Imperfect Past has a durative and habitual aspect. The Simple Past has a punctual and conclusive aspect. This distinction is fundamental for choosing the right tense based on communicative intent.
Regional differences and language registers
In some contexts of European Portuguese, especially in informal speech, the distinction between these tenses may be more flexible. However, in formal, academic, or written contexts, correct use of these tenses is essential.
In more literary registers, the Imperfect is widely used to create atmosphere and rhythm, while the Simple Past helps structure the sequence of events.
Tips for learners
A good strategy to master these tenses is to practice with short stories: telling what happened yesterday (using the Simple Past) and how things used to be (using the Imperfect).
Observing the verbs used in books, news articles, and serials also help learners see how native speakers naturally make this distinction. Another useful exercise is writing personal diaries or memory descriptions, focusing on the difference between “how things were” and “what happened.”
Conclusion
Mastering the use of the Imperfect and the Simple Past is an essential step for anyone who wants to communicate naturally and accurately in European Portuguese. These verb tenses help structure narrative, express emotion, and distinguish between processes and results in the past. With practice, observation, and patience, this distinction will become more intuitive, allowing for richer and more effective expression.