Imperfect Tense
The Imperfect Tense Verb
The Kind of Action of the Imperfect Tense:
The imperfect tense expresses a linear or continuous action in past time. The time element is more predominate because it is exclusively used with the Indicative mode.
The Progressive Imperfect
This use denotes action in progress in past time. This is the most common use of the tense. It draws a picture of a past event. Only the context determines whether the action is completed.
The Iterative Imperfect
This action of the imperfect is represented as recurring at successive intervals in past time. It is sometimes difficult to tell whether an act is merely descriptive or a series of actions. The context must be studied carefully to determine which it is. It is translated into English by “kept on”.
The Customary Imperfect
This use represents an action that occurred on a regular or ordinary basis in past time. It emphasizes the regularity of the action over a period of time in the past. English would the customary imperfect by “used to”.
The Inceptive Imperfect
This use denotes the beginning of an action or that which was upon the point of occurring, in past time. The action is continuous in past time, but the emphasis is on the beginning, not its progress. It occurs frequently in the New Testament. It may be translated by “one went to doing.”
The Inchoative Imperfect
This use denoted an action as merely begun in the past, but not carried out yet. May be expressed in English with “began.”
The Conative Imperfect
This use denotes an action that was interrupted in the past. The action was begun, but not completed.
The Tendential Imperfect