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Lingvero

Tener Imperfect Practice

Tener (to have) in the imperfect: 14 free exercises with an explanation after every answer, plus the full conjugation table.

14 exercisesIrregularA1 – A2 level
IWhat to watch for

Good news: tener is completely regular in the imperfect. Take the stem ten- and add the -er endings: tenía, tenías, tenía, teníamos, tenían — every form carries an accent on the í.

The real challenge is choosing tenía over tuve: the imperfect describes ongoing past states — age, possessions, habits, background feelings — while the preterite reports one closed event. Also remember that yo and él/ella share the same form, tenía, so context decides who the subject is.

IIConjugation
tenerImperfect
yo
tenía
tenías
él / ella / usted
tenía
nosotros
teníamos
vosotros
teníais
ellos / ustedes
tenían
Irregular yo form (tengo), e→ie stem change, preterite stem tuv-, future stem tendr-.
IIIPractice exercises

Practice.

Answer first, then read the explanation. Don't skip it — that's the whole point.

Exercise 01 of 14Tag: Past states
Fill in the blank

Cuando era niño, yo _____ miedo de la oscuridad. (tener)

When I was a child, I was afraid of the dark.

Exercise 02 of 14Tag: Description
Fill in the blank

De pequeña, tú _____ el pelo muy largo y rizado. (tener)

When you were little, you had very long, curly hair.

Exercise 03 of 14Tag: Past possession
Fill in the blank

En los años ochenta, mi abuelo _____ una tienda de abarrotes. (tener)

In the eighties, my grandfather had a grocery store.

Exercise 04 of 14Tag: Past possession
Fill in the blank

Antes nosotros _____ un gato que dormía en la cocina. (tener)

We used to have a cat that slept in the kitchen.

Exercise 05 of 14Tag: Past possession
Fill in the blank

En esa época, mis tíos _____ una finca cerca de Medellín. (tener)

Back then, my aunt and uncle had a farm near Medellín.

Exercise 06 of 14Tag: Past habits
Fill in the blank

Yo siempre _____ hambre después de las clases de natación. (tener)

I was always hungry after swimming lessons.

Exercise 07 of 14Tag: Age in the past
Fill in the blank

¿Cuántos años _____ tú cuando aprendiste a manejar? (tener)

How old were you when you learned to drive?

Exercise 08 of 14Tag: Past states
Fill in the blank

Mientras vivía en Lima, Sofía _____ dos trabajos a la vez. (tener)

While she was living in Lima, Sofía had two jobs at once.

Exercise 09 of 14Tag: Tener que
Fill in the blank

De niños, mi hermano y yo _____ que compartir la habitación. (tener)

As kids, my brother and I had to share the bedroom.

Exercise 10 of 14Tag: Description
Fill in the blank

Antes, los conciertos _____ precios mucho más accesibles. (tener)

Concerts used to have much more affordable prices.

Exercise 11 of 14Tag: Past states
Fill in the blank

En la universidad yo no _____ tiempo ni para desayunar. (tener)

In college I didn't even have time for breakfast.

Exercise 12 of 14Tag: Past habits
Fill in the blank

Cuando trabajabas de noche, siempre _____ mucho sueño. (tener)

When you worked nights, you were always very sleepy.

Exercise 13 of 14Tag: Description
Fill in the blank

La casa donde crecí _____ tres cuartos y una terraza enorme. (tener)

The house where I grew up had three bedrooms and a huge terrace.

Exercise 14 of 14Tag: Past habits
Fill in the blank

Todos los veranos, mis primos _____ ganas de ir al río. (tener)

Every summer, my cousins felt like going to the river.

Every answer is explained

Not just a green check. A short paragraph telling you why.

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