The imperfect indicative is used when talking about continuous or ongoing action in the past. Something that used to happen or, would (always) happen.
*Also called the Preterit Imperfect tense.
» Eu trabalhava no Banco do Brasil.
Or,
When I was younger I would always drink a few beers before going to a party.
» Quando eu era mais jovem eu sempre bebia umas cervejas antes de sair pra festa.
Things that used to happen or, would (always) happen, entendeu?
Forming
-ar regular verbs
I used to work | eu trabalh | ava |
he used to work | ele trabalh | ava |
we used to work | nós trabalh | ávamos |
they used to work | eles trabalh | avam |
-er and -ir regular verbs
I used to eat | eu com | ia |
he used to eat | ele com | ia |
we used to eat | nós com | íamos |
they used to eat | eles com | iam |
ar verbs > Trabalhava nessa empresa. (I used to work at that company.)
er verbs > Eu bebia todos os dias. (I used to drink every day.)
ir verbs > Eu dormia bem. (I used to sleep well.)
*Also called the Preterite Imperfect