Spanish language learning forums

Spanish language learning forums (https://forums.tomisimo.org/index.php)

- Grammar (https://forums.tomisimo.org/forumdisplay.php?f=19)

- - Imperfect usage (https://forums.tomisimo.org/showthread.php?t=13835)

I was resting in my hotel when suddenly I heard a big sound

Estaba descansando en mi hotel cuando de repente escuché un gran sonido

o

Descansaba en mi hotel cuando de repente escuché un gran sonido

I was resting in my hotel yesterday morning
I rested in my hotel yesterday morning

Descansaba en mi hotel ayer en la mañana

Quote:

Originally Posted by ducviloxi (Post 128350)

I was resting in my hotel when suddenly I heard a big sound

Estaba descansando en mi hotel cuando de repente escuché un gran sonido

o

Descansaba en mi hotel cuando de repente escuché un gran sonido
(Either can be used. The first is the imperfect progressive - was currently in the process. The second is the imperfect tense - was resting (sets stage for something else).)

I was resting in my hotel yesterday morning
I rested in my hotel yesterday morning

Descansaba en el hotel ayer por la mañana (was resting - sets stage for something else, or describes an ongoing event in the past)

You didn't translate 'I rested'. The action in that sentence has a start and an end in the past, so the imperfect should not be used.

I agree with Rusty's comments, but just for the sake of regionalisms: "en la mañana" is acceptable in Mexican Spanish; daily speech rarely uses "por la mañana" (it's a bit too formal for us).

In Spain "por la mañana" is the most colloquial way to express it...

(Mañana por la mañana te espero Juana, debajo de tu ventana...)