PRETÉRITO IMPERFEITO IN PORTUGUESE (-ER Conjugation)

In this list, you will learn the conjugation of regular verbs ending in -ER in the imperfect past tense. We will also explain three more rules that you should use to know when to use the imperfect past tense in Portuguese. Don’t forget that we already mentioned 3 other rules in the list regarding regular verbs ending in -AR. 

Rule number 4: Whenever we talk about past hours using the verb TO BE. Example: “Ontem saí de casa ERAM 3 horas = Yesterday I left home it WAS 3 o’clock.”

Rule number 5: We also use the imperfect past tense when comparing a present routine with a past routine. Example: “Hoje em dia bebo 3 cafés por semana mas antigamente BEBIA 3 cafés por dia!” =  Nowadays, I drink 3 coffees per week, but in the past, I used to drink 3 coffees per day!

RULE NUMBER 6: We also use the imperfect past tense to describe someone’s characteristics in the past. Example: “Em 1973 o meu pai TINHA o cabelo comprido, ERA louro e ERA um homem muito bonito” = In 1973, my father had long hair, was blond, and was a very handsome man.

We conclude this list with the conjugation of the verb “COMER” (to eat) in the imperfect past tense. Happy studying and have fun!

To listen to the AUDIO in Portuguese, go to OPTIONS and switch the AUDIO to ON. To turn on the AUDIO, go to FLASHCARDS and click on the COG WHEEL (top right).

To learn and consolidate this list, you should follow the following STUDY METHOD:

1-FLASH CARDS

2-LEARN

3-SPELL

4-ASSESS

5-COMBINE