Estuve or estaba?

[hola]

am i correct when i say that it is incorrect to say "estaba pensaba" and that you have to say "estuve pensaba"?

or is it incorrect altogether to use any form of "estar" w/ pensaba?

i think it might be incorrect altogether

[Rusty]

You're right, it is incorrect altogether. Instead of pensaba (a conjugation in the imperfect tense), you need a present participle (pensando) after the conjugated form of estar.

estar + present participle = to be in the process of ____-ing

estoy pensando = I am (in the process of) thinking
estaba pensando = I was (in the process of) thinking (about something when something else occurred, and I kept thinking about that thing afterward)
estuve pensando = I was (in the process of) thinking (about something when something else occurred, and I didn't return to that thought afterward)

[Tomisimo]

Here are two examples to illustrate what Rusty was saying about estaba/estuve.

Estaba pensando si ir o no ir pero no me decido todavía.
Lo estuve pensando y decidí que voy a ir.

[hola]

thank you guys and Rusty believe it or not you had a big hand in teaching me that before I even posted the question so I gotta give you credit and Diamond you are no less helpful but Rusty got the credit probably only because he answers first and quick but you seem to be able to match his spanish knowledge