Temporal expressions of the imperfect

Imperfetto + expressions of habit: what is happening here?

In these examples you see the imperfetto with words like ogni giorno, di solito, sempre, spesso, tutte le settimane, mentre.

Together, they describe:

• habits in the past (what you “used to” do)
• repeated actions in the past
• two actions at the same time in the past

This is why you do not use passato prossimo in these sentences.

1. When do I choose imperfetto with these expressions?

Use the imperfetto with these words when you talk about the past:

• ogni giorno / ogni settimana / ogni semestre = every day / every week / every semester
• sempre = always
• spesso = often
• di solito = usually
• tutte le settimane = every week
• mentre = while (two actions at the same time)

These words answer the question: “Was this a habit / something typical in that period?”

• If the answer is yes → use imperfetto.
• If it was one specific event → usually passato prossimo (not the topic here).

2. Imperfetto = English “used to” / “was -ing”

English can help you feel the difference:

If in English you would naturally say “used to …” or “was …-ing”, in Italian you almost always need the imperfetto + these expressions of frequency.

3. Typical patterns: where do I put the time word?

The time expressions are flexible. They can go at the beginning, in the middle, or (less often) at the end.

• At the beginning (very common):
  Di solito studiavo la sera.
• After the subject:
  Io studiavo italiano ogni giorno.
• With “mentre”:
  Mentre studiavo, lavoravo part-time.

The important thing is: with these expressions in the past, the verb is in the imperfetto.

4. “Ogni, di solito, sempre, spesso…” → habit, not a single event

These words tell you that the action was repeated or typical, not just once.

• Ogni giorno = it happened every day, again and again.
• Di solito = it was your normal routine.
• Sempre = 100% of the time in that period.
• Spesso = many times, very frequent.
• Tutte le settimane = weekly habit.

Because they describe a pattern, they match naturally with the imperfetto.

5. “Mentre”: two things at the same time

Mentre introduces actions that were happening in parallel in the past.

• Both verbs are normally in the imperfetto.
• You focus on the process, not the start or the end.

When you see mentre with two long actions → think “imperfetto + imperfetto”.

6. Imperfetto or passato prossimo? Quick test

Students often hesitate here. Use this quick self-check:

1. Was it a habit / routine in that period?
   → Yes → use imperfetto.
   → No, just once / finished event → usually passato prossimo.
2. Can I add “ogni giorno, di solito, sempre, spesso, tutte le settimane” naturally?
   → If yes, the verb should be in the imperfetto.
3. Are two actions happening at the same time?
   → Use mentre + imperfetto (usually for both verbs).

7. Typical mistakes to avoid (and how to fix them)

8. Step-by-step self-check for your own sentences

1. Say the sentence in English first.
   Ask yourself: would I say “used to” or “was …-ing”?
   Example: “I used to go to the library every week.” → imperfetto in Italian.
2. Choose a time expression (if needed).
   
   • daily → ogni giorno
   • usually → di solito
   • always → sempre
   • often → spesso
   • weekly → tutte le settimane
   • while / at the same time → mentre
3. Put the time expression in the sentence.
   Example:
   → Ogni settimana … or … ogni settimana.
4. Conjugate the verb in the imperfetto.
   Do not leave the verb in the infinitive.
   Example: spesso fare una pausa → spesso facevo una pausa.
5. Check the “habit / parallel” feeling.
   
   • Does it sound like a routine? → good.
   • Does it sound like one finished episode? → maybe you need passato prossimo, not these expressions.

9. What you should be able to do now

• Recognise when an action in the past is a habit or a routine.
• Choose and place ogni giorno, di solito, sempre, spesso, tutte le settimane correctly in a sentence.
• Use mentre + imperfetto for two simultaneous actions in the past.
• Avoid typical mistakes like mixing imperfetto with passato prossimo after these expressions.

If you can do these points, you are ready to use these structures actively in conversation about your university life, past jobs, and past routines.