A2 · Elementary Chapter 7

Describing the Past & Looking Ahead

8 Total Rules
82 examples
7 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of storytelling by connecting your past memories with your future ambitions.

  • Conjugate verbs in the Imperfect tense to describe habits.
  • Identify the difference between finished past actions and ongoing descriptions.
  • Formulate future plans using the Future do Presente tense.
From yesterday's memories to tomorrow's dreams.

What You'll Learn

You've already got the Portuguese basics down and you're getting comfortable – now it's time to level up and speak with even more confidence! In this chapter, we're going on an exciting journey through the past and into the future. First, we'll dive into the past, but not just single, finished events. You'll learn how to talk about your old habits, like

When I was a kid, I used to play every day,
or
The weather was always good.
This part is perfect for when you want to tell a story, describe a scene, or explain what something was like previously (such as
He was a kind person
or
We had a lot of fun back then
). We'll master verbs like 'ser' (was/used to be), 'fazer' (used to do/was), and 'ver' (used to see) in the Imperfect tense, so you can paint vivid pictures of the past for your listeners. For example, when your friend talks about their last vacation, you'll be able to add details like,
We used to walk by the sea every day and drink coffee in the evenings.
After we've explored the past thoroughly, we'll hop into a time machine and head to the future! Here, you'll learn how to confidently discuss your upcoming plans. Think
I will go shopping tomorrow
or
We will visit Portugal next year.
This section will be incredibly useful when you need to explain work schedules, chat about your travel arrangements, or even make a promise to someone. You'll comfortably be able to say,
I will definitely come,
or
We will be there next year.
By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to bring past memories to life, explain your old habits, and talk about future plans and events with complete assurance. Ready? Let's go!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Describe your childhood habits using the Imperfect tense.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Welcome to "Describing the Past & Looking Ahead," your next step in mastering Portuguese grammar at the A2 CEFR level! You've already built a solid foundation, and now it’s time to expand your expressive capabilities significantly. This chapter is designed to help you narrate past events with vivid detail and confidently articulate your future plans, making your Portuguese conversations much richer and more engaging.
We'll start by delving into the Portuguese Imperfect Tense, a crucial tool for talking about past habits, ongoing situations, and descriptions. Imagine being able to share stories like "When I was a child, I used to visit my grandparents every summer" or "The beach was always beautiful." This tense allows you to paint a picture of the past, explaining what things *were like* rather than just what *happened*. You'll master verbs like ser (to be), fazer (to do/make), and ver (to see) in their imperfect forms, unlocking a new level of storytelling.
After mastering the past, we'll fast-forward to the future. This section will equip you with the Portuguese Simple Future Tense, enabling you to discuss your upcoming plans, commitments, and predictions with clarity. Whether you're planning a trip, scheduling a meeting, or simply talking about what you'll do tomorrow, this tense will ensure you communicate effectively. By the end of this chapter, you’ll be able to reminisce about old times and confidently map out your future in Portuguese. Let's get started!

How This Grammar Works

This chapter introduces two powerful verb tenses: the Imperfect Tense for the past and the Simple Future for what's to come. The Imperfect Tense in Portuguese is used for actions that were habitual, ongoing, or descriptive in the past. Think "used to" or "was/were -ing."
For Past Habits & Storytelling: The Imperfect Tense, regular -ar verbs take endings like -ava, -avas, -ava, -ávamos, -áveis, -avam. For example, falar (to speak) becomes Eu falava (I used to speak). Regular -er & -ir Verbs follow a similar pattern with endings like -ia, -ias, -ia, -íamos, -íeis, -iam. So, comer (to eat) becomes Eu comia (I used to eat), and partir (to leave) becomes Eu partia (I used to leave).
Specific verbs: For Past Descriptions: Using 'Ser' (Era), the verb ser is highly irregular: Eu era, tu eras, ele/ela era, nós éramos, vós éreis, eles/elas eram. Example: Ele era muito amigável (He used to be very friendly / He was very friendly). For Past Habits & Weather: 'Fazer' in Imperfect, fazer becomes fazia: Fazia muito sol no verão (It used to be very sunny in the summer). For Portuguese Past Tense: Using 'Ver' for Habits & Descriptions, ver becomes via: Nós víamos os pássaros todos os dias (We used to see the birds every day). Finally, for Portuguese Past Tense: When to use 'podia' (Imperfect), poder becomes podia: Eu podia correr rápido quando era criança (I could run fast when I was a child).
Moving to the future, the Portuguese Simple Future (Futuro do Presente) is used for definite plans and predictions. It’s formed by adding specific endings to the infinitive of the verb. For Regular -ar Verbs, -er Verbs, and -ir Verbs, the endings are the same for all conjugations: -ei, -ás, -á, -emos, -eis, -ão. For example, falar becomes Eu falarei (I will speak), comer becomes Eu comerei (I will eat), and partir becomes Eu partirei (I will leave). This straightforward conjugation makes expressing future plans incredibly simple!

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Ontem, eu fui para a praia e o sol estava brilhante." (Yesterday, I went to the beach and the sun was shining bright.)
✓ Correct: "Ontem, eu fui para a praia e o sol estava brilhante." (Yesterday, I went to the beach and the sun was shining bright.)
*Explanation:* While the English translation might sound similar, the first sentence implies the sun *shone* brightly as a single completed action (which would be 'brilhou' in Portuguese), rather than describing the continuous state of the sun *being* bright. The Imperfect Tense (estava) is correctly used here to describe a condition or ongoing state in the past, not a single event.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Amanhã, eu vou comer um bolo." (Tomorrow, I go eat a cake.)
✓ Correct: "Amanhã, eu comerei um bolo." (Tomorrow, I will eat a cake.)
*Explanation:* While "ir + infinitive" (ir comer) is very common in spoken Portuguese for the future (similar to "going to eat"), the chapter specifically focuses on the Simple Future (comerei). Using the Simple Future is grammatically precise and often preferred in more formal contexts or when emphasizing a definite commitment.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Quando eu era criança, eu jogava futebol só uma vez." (When I was a child, I played soccer only once.)
✓ Correct: "Quando eu era criança, eu jogava futebol." (When I was a child, I used to play soccer.)
*Explanation:* The Imperfect Tense (jogava) is used for *habitual* actions in the past ("used to play"). If you played soccer only *once*, you would use the Pretérito Perfeito (joguei), as it refers to a single, completed action in the past. The original sentence incorrectly mixes a habitual tense with a singular event.

Real Conversations

A

A

Quando eras criança, o que fazias nos verões? (When you were a child, what did you use to do in the summers?)
B

B

Ah, eu sempre ia para a casa da minha avó. Nós nadávamos no rio e comíamos muitas frutas. (Oh, I always used to go to my grandmother's house. We used to swim in the river and eat a lot of fruit.)
A

A

O que farás no próximo fim de semana? (What will you do next weekend?)
B

B

Eu visitarei uns amigos em Lisboa e talvez farei um passeio de barco. (I will visit some friends in Lisbon and maybe I will take a boat trip.)
A

A

Como era a tua escola primária? (What was your primary school like?)
B

B

Era pequena, mas os professores eram muito dedicados. Nós tínhamos aulas ao ar livre frequentemente. (It was small, but the teachers were very dedicated. We used to have outdoor classes frequently.)

Quick FAQ

Q

How do I know when to use the Imperfect Tense versus another past tense in Portuguese?

The Imperfect Tense (e.g., eu falava) is primarily for past habits, ongoing actions, descriptions of states, or background information. If you're talking about a single, completed action, you'll likely need the Pretérito Perfeito (e.g., eu falei), which is not covered in detail here but is good to be aware of.

Q

Are there many irregular verbs in the Portuguese Simple Future?

No, the Simple Future is quite regular! The endings (-ei, -ás, -á, -emos, -eis, -ão) are generally added directly to the infinitive form of most verbs. Some common irregulars like fazer (farei), dizer (direi), and trazer (trarei) exist, but they are few compared to other tenses.

Q

Can I use "ir + infinitive" for future plans instead of the Simple Future?

Yes, absolutely! In everyday spoken Portuguese, especially in Brazil, "ir + infinitive" (Eu vou comer - I am going to eat) is extremely common and often preferred for expressing future actions. The Simple Future (Eu comerei - I will eat) gives a slightly more formal tone or emphasizes certainty.

Cultural Context

Portuguese speakers love to tell stories, and the Imperfect Tense is their best friend for painting vivid pictures of the past. It allows for a rich tapestry of descriptions and habits, making conversations about childhood, old routines, or historical events feel very natural and engaging. When discussing the future, the Simple Future is often used for more definite plans or predictions, especially in formal contexts or when making clear commitments. In casual conversation, particularly in Brazil, the "ir + infinitive" construction is very prevalent for the future, but mastering the Simple Future will give you a more complete understanding and allow you to express yourself with greater precision and elegance.

Key Examples (8)

1

Eu viajava muito antes da faculdade.

I used to travel a lot before college.

Past Habits & Storytelling: The Imperfect Tense (-ar verbs)
2

Nós morávamos em São Paulo nessa época.

We were living in São Paulo at that time.

Past Habits & Storytelling: The Imperfect Tense (-ar verbs)
3

Eu vivia em São Paulo naquela época.

I used to live in São Paulo at that time.

Past Habits: Portuguese Imperfect Tense (-er & -ir Verbs)
4

Nós não entendíamos a lição, então pedimos ajuda.

We didn't understand the lesson, so we asked for help.

Past Habits: Portuguese Imperfect Tense (-er & -ir Verbs)
5

Eu era viciado nessa série.

I used to be addicted to this series.

Past Descriptions: Using 'Ser' (Era)
6

Nós éramos tão jovens e nem sabíamos.

We were so young and didn't even know it.

Past Descriptions: Using 'Ser' (Era)
7

Antigamente, eu fazia vídeos para o YouTube.

Back in the day, I used to make videos for YouTube.

Past Habits & Weather: 'Fazer' in Imperfect
8

Fazia muito calor naquele dia.

It was very hot that day.

Past Habits & Weather: 'Fazer' in Imperfect

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

The 'Used To' Trick

Whenever you want to say 'I used to', you are almost always looking for the Imperfect tense.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Past Habits & Storytelling: The Imperfect Tense (-ar verbs)
💡

The 'Used To' Trick

Whenever you want to say 'used to', reach for the imperfect. It's the most reliable translation.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Past Habits: Portuguese Imperfect Tense (-er & -ir Verbs)
💡

Focus on the state

If you are describing a scene, use 'era'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Past Descriptions: Using 'Ser' (Era)
💡

The 'Used To' Trick

Whenever you want to say 'used to', reach for 'fazia'. It's the most reliable translation.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Past Habits & Weather: 'Fazer' in Imperfect

Key Vocabulary (5)

antigamente in the past/formerly sempre always amanhã tomorrow próximo next frequentemente frequently

Real-World Preview

coffee

Discussing Childhood

Review Summary

  • Stem + -ava, -avas, -ava, -ávamos, -avam

Common Mistakes

Use the imperfect for habits, not the preterite.

Wrong: Eu andei muito quando criança.
Correct: Eu andava muito quando criança.

While 'vou comer' is acceptable, use the synthetic future for formal clarity.

Wrong: Eu vou comer amanhã.
Correct: Eu comerei amanhã.

Don't mix 'ser' with other verbs for habits.

Wrong: Ele era ir ao parque.
Correct: Ele ia ao parque.

Rules in This Chapter (8)

1

Past Habits & Storytelling: The Imperfect Tense (-ar verbs)

A2
Use the Imperfect 'AVA' endings for past habits, ongoing actions, and setting the scene, not for single completed events.
Eu viajava muito antes da faculdade.
10 examples
2

Past Habits: Portuguese Imperfect Tense (-er & -ir Verbs)

A2
The Imperfect tense paints the background of the past, describing ongoing scenes, habits, and descriptions.
Eu vivia em São Paulo naquela época.
11 examples
3

Past Descriptions: Using 'Ser' (Era)

A2
Use the Imperfect 'ser' (era/éramos) to describe what people, things, or times were like in the past.
Eu era viciado nessa série.
10 examples
4

Past Habits & Weather: 'Fazer' in Imperfect

A2
Use 'fazia' to say 'used to do', describe past weather, or set the scene, unlike the completed 'fiz'.
Antigamente, eu fazia vídeos para o YouTube.
10 examples
5

Portuguese Past Tense: Using 'Ver' for Habits & Descriptions (via, viam)

A2
Use the 'vi-' stem to describe habits or ongoing sightings in the past without a specific end.
Eu via todos os episódios de Friends na Netflix.
11 examples
6

Portuguese Past Tense: When to use 'podia' (Imperfect)

A2
Use podia to talk about past abilities, past permissions, or to soften a polite request right now.
Antes, eu podia comer uma pizza inteira sozinho.
10 examples
7

Portuguese Simple Future: Regular -ar Verbs (Future do Presente)

A2
Glue future endings directly to the full verb to sound formal, professional, and certain about future events.
Eu viajarei para Portugal no próximo ano.
10 examples
8

Portuguese Simple Future: Regular -er & -ir Verbs

A2
To form the future, add -ei, -ás, -á, -emos, -ão directly to the complete infinitive verb.
Eu comerei todo o bolo sozinha!
10 examples

Next Steps

You have mastered the timeline! Keep practicing these verb conjugations daily.

Write a 5-sentence story about your last vacation.

Continue to: Commands, Diminutives & Daily Expressions

Quick Practice (10)

Fix the mistake.

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu comia o almoço ontem às 12h.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu comi
Specific time needs perfect.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Past Habits: Portuguese Imperfect Tense (-er & -ir Verbs)

Fill in the blank with the correct imperfect form.

Eu ___ nadar muito bem quando era jovem.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: podia
Eu requires the singular 'podia'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Past Tense: When to use 'podia' (Imperfect)

Select the correct form for 'Nós'.

Nós ___ (partir) cedo.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: partiremos
Nós + -emos = partiremos.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Simple Future: Regular -er & -ir Verbs

Correct the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu podia ir à festa ontem (but I didn't).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu podia ter ido à festa.
To express a missed opportunity, use 'podia ter'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Past Tense: When to use 'podia' (Imperfect)

Which is correct for 'nós'?

Nós ___ (partir).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: partíamos
Nós requires -íamos.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Past Habits: Portuguese Imperfect Tense (-er & -ir Verbs)

Choose the correct form.

Eles ___ tudo.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: viam
Plural agreement.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Past Tense: Using 'Ver' for Habits & Descriptions (via, viam)

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu falararei.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu falarei
Don't double the 'ra'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Simple Future: Regular -ar Verbs (Future do Presente)

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu falava com ele ontem.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu falei com ele ontem.
Yesterday requires Preterite.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Past Habits & Storytelling: The Imperfect Tense (-ar verbs)

Fill in the blank.

Eu ___ muito feliz.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: era
Describing a past state.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Past Descriptions: Using 'Ser' (Era)

Conjugate 'comer' for 'eu'.

Eu ___ pão.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: comia
Imperfect for habit.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Past Habits: Portuguese Imperfect Tense (-er & -ir Verbs)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

Use it for past habits, ongoing actions, or descriptions.
No, it's very regular for all -ar verbs.
Yes! In the imperfect tense, they share identical endings.
Use imperfect for habits and descriptions; use simple past for completed events.
No, use 'estava' for locations.
No, it is for things and places too.
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Commands, Diminutives & Daily Expressions
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