Misusing the Imperfetto and Passato Prossimo in Stories

At an intermediate level, students know both past tenses.But they don’t always combine them correctly.

I often hear:

❌ Quando ero piccola, ho giocato sempre al parco.

But in Italian, habitual past actions require the imperfetto.

✅ Quando ero piccola, giocavo sempre al parco.

The Advanced Interaction

The imperfetto sets the background.The passato prossimo introduces completed events.

Example:

Studiavo quando il telefono ha squillato.

If you mix them incorrectly, the rhythm feels unnatural.

Grammar Hint

Use imperfetto for:

• Habits

• Background description

• Ongoing actions

  
  

Use passato prossimo for:

• Specific completed actions

• Events that interrupt

  
  

Advanced fluency depends on mastering this interaction.

If you want to practice telling stories with accurate tense interaction, that’s something we refine carefully in lessons.

👉 Book your Italian lesson and master storytelling.