Passato prossimo or imperfetto?
Develop what happened? through a focused grammar itinerary.
The imperfetto
Use imperfetto for repeated habits, descriptions, age, time, weather, and background in the past. It tells us what was happening or what was usual.
- Da bambino giocavo sempre fuori.· As a child I always played outside.
- Era estate e faceva caldo.· It was summer and it was hot.
- Mentre guardavo la TV, ha telefonato mia nonna.· While I was watching TV, my grandmother called.
- Ogni estate andavamo al mare.· Every summer we used to go to the seaside.
Imperfetto or passato prossimo?
Use imperfetto for the background or a repeated action. Use passato prossimo for a completed event that moves the story forward. They often work together.
- Di solito tornavo a casa alle cinque, ma un giorno ho perso l’autobus.· I usually returned home at five, but one day I missed the bus.
- Mentre aspettavo, ho sentito un annuncio.· While I was waiting, I heard an announcement.
- Pioveva quando il treno è arrivato.· It was raining when the train arrived.
- Ero stanco, ma ho continuato il viaggio.· I was tired, but I continued the journey.