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When to use past definite ser/estar?

 

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  #1  
Old August 10, 2012, 07:17 PM
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Wink When to use past definite ser/estar?

What are situations wherein I can use past definite ser (fuí, fué...) and estar (estuve, estuvo...)? I cannot think of any, since descriptions, characteristics and conditions don't seem to occur at a single point in time, which is my idea of when to use the past definite.

For past tense ser and estar, I have so far only used the past descriptive, e.g.

Éramos de las Filipinas.
Era discípulo.
Las manzanas eran rojas.

Estaban en la escuela.
Yo estaba mala.
¿Porqué estabas feliz ayer?

¡Gracias!
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  #2  
Old August 10, 2012, 08:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Coffee Kitten View Post
What are situations wherein I can use past definite ser (fuí, fué...) and estar (estuve, estuvo...)? I cannot think of any, since descriptions, characteristics and conditions don't seem to occur at a single point in time, which is my idea of when to use the past definite.

For past tense ser and estar, I have so far only used the past descriptive, e.g.

Éramos de las Filipinas.
Era discípulo.
Las manzanas eran rojas.

Estaban en la escuela.
Yo estaba mala.
¿Porqué estabas feliz ayer?

¡Gracias!
We were from the Philippines = Éramos de las Filipinas.


I was the Dr. in that play = (Yo) era/fui el Dr. en esa obra

I was a Dr. when I was young = (Yo) fui/era Dr. cuando era jóven.


Hmmm... difficult...
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  #3  
Old August 11, 2012, 07:09 PM
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Hi all. I've found a nice answer to my question here. Thought I'd share for those interested: http://spanish.about.com/cs/verbs/a/serpast.htm
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Old August 11, 2012, 07:22 PM
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