Completed event or unfolding background?
The preterite advances a sequence of completed events. The imperfect supplies habits, descriptions, and actions viewed as in progress.
- Caminaba cuando empezó a llover.I was walking when it started to rain.
- Vivimos allí tres años.We lived there for three years.
The speaker chooses the frame
The same real-world event can be framed differently. Quise hacerlo presents an attempt or change of mind; Quería hacerlo describes the ongoing desire.
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