Question 1

How do we get entendíamos from the verb entender?

Accepted Answer

To form the nosotros (we) form in the imperfect tense for an -er verb, you drop the -er ending and add -íamos. Notice the accent mark on the í! In the imperfect tense, every single form of regular -er and -ir verbs has an accent on that í.

Question 2

Doesn't entender usually have a stem change (like entiendo)? Why isn't it entiendíamos?

Accepted Answer

The imperfect tense is incredibly regular! Unlike the present tense, regular -er and -ir verbs never have stem changes (like e-to-ie) in the imperfect. You just take the pure base entend- and add your ending.

Question 3

Why does this sentence use the imperfect tense rather than the preterite?

Accepted Answer

The imperfect is used for ongoing states or habits in the past. Mental actions and states of mind—such as knowing, feeling, or understanding (entender)—are usually ongoing conditions rather than single, completed events. That's why it translates so well to "used to understand."

Question 4

Why does estrictas come after reglas?

Accepted Answer

In Spanish, descriptive adjectives usually come after the noun they describe. Since reglas (rules) is a feminine plural noun, the adjective must match it, which is why it becomes estrictas instead of estricto.

Nosotros entendíamos las reglas estrictas.

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