use of preterit and imperfect vis a vis 3 verbs

[Lesley D]

Yes, just to clarify in example #3. The fact that Quisqueya wrote 'una cosa'. If one replaces that noun with a pronoun it would have to be 'la'.

If Quisqueya meant to convey anything else such as the neuter concept I think his phrase would have been (or should have been) different. For example if someone just explained something to you and you reply 'I see' as in 'I understand' you may reply 'entiendo' which is a simple and appropriate response or by choice incorporate the neuter usage.

However, I did not interpret #3 as a neuter phrase or as understanding a concept or idea. I interpreted it as (literally) seeing 'una cosa'. Quisqueya will have to clarify that (which could change my response).


-LDG.

[azabache]

Wow Lesley D., that is a dynamite, and I'm sure a very accurate explanation about proper use of verbs.
But while in the DR one would to say, Había tres hombres en el parque ayer-- rather than Hubo tres hombres... (at least that's what a native speaker told me.)

[Lesley D]

Había tres hombres en el parque ayer....

There is no problem (grammatically) with that phrase however, it's a question of matices (nuances) and what the speaker wishes to convey vs using hubo.

Monsoon68's post #19 sums of the difference in usage with these tenses and a past tense marker such as ayer perfectly.


-LDG.