Perfect or Imperfect

Level 3

The perfect moves the story on, and the imperfect sets the scene.

How It Works

LatinEnglishWhy
Iulia cantabat.Iulia was singing.in progress
Iulia cantavit.Iulia sang.it happened and ended

Put them together: Iulia cantabat cum Marcus venit means Iulia was singing when Marcus came. The singing was going on, and the coming was one event.

Ask one question about each verb. Is it one event with a start and an end? Use the perfect. Is it the situation, or something repeated? Use the imperfect.

Stories use both tenses together: Pluebat, itaque Marcus in villa mansit. It was raining, so Marcus stayed in the house.

Examples (5)

  1. Iulia cantabat cum Marcus venit.

    Iulia was singing when Marcus came.

    Cantabat is the scene. Venit is the event that interrupts it.

  2. Pluebat, itaque Marcus in villa mansit.

    It was raining, so Marcus stayed in the house.

    Pluebat sets the scene. Mansit is what Marcus did.

  3. Pastores gregem custodiebant, et angelus Domini stetit.

    The shepherds were watching their flock, and an angel of the Lord stood near.

    Custodiebant is the scene. Stetit is the new event.

  4. Marcus in horto sedebat; subito Iulia venit.

    Marcus was sitting in the garden; suddenly Iulia came.

    Subito points to a sudden event, so venit is the perfect.

  5. Cantabam cum tu venisti.

    I was singing when you came.

    The same pattern with I and you.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the perfect for an action that was still going on.

    Iulia cantavit cum Marcus venit.
    Iulia cantabat cum Marcus venit.

    Iulia cantavit cum Marcus venit is also Latin, but it means Iulia sang when Marcus came, as one event after another. To say she was in the middle of singing, use cantabat.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Perfect or ImperfectLevel 3

Learn This First

The choice between the two past tenses needs both.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.