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This is a follow-on video from maestra Brenda sobre el preterito vs el imperfecto. I like that this one addresses the concept of using both the imperfect and the preterit at the same time. She gives several examples when an action is in progress in the past (the imperfect) and then is interrupted by action (preterit) in the past.

Will

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preterit vs imperfect in spanish - Search Videos

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This video is chock full of examples of the imperfect and associates them with the the many conditions for using the imperfect. It also does a great job clarifying when to use the preterite vs the imperfect and how to combine them. The teacher also draws parallels in using the preterite + imperfect to how you use ser + estar that is pretty helpful.

Will

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I like this comparison between the preterite and the imperfect. It actually connects well with the chapter we are in right now in the text. She connects and clarifies the context of the simple past, things that happened once are the preterite vs things that happened over longer periods in the past are the imperfect.

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preterite vs imperfect spanish - Search Videos

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I liked how the Spanish Dude broke down the preterite vs the imperfect in an ABC style of learning with examples and comparisons to english which can lead to confusion when trying to apply one language to the other. He opens your eyes to viewing the Spanish language through Spanish, if that makes sense, while shutting off looking at Spanish through English glasses.

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Spanish Past Tense: Preterite Vs. Imperfect, Rule of Thumb

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I enjoyed this one because it has a video, reading, and diagrams which help pull everything together for me.

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To be honest, learning the differences between the two Spanish past tenses was ridiculously difficult for me, as I had lived my whole life speaking English, where verb tenses are not nearly as clearly defined. Today, I'll make it easier for you by explaining the differences that I learned as I was mastering Spanish verb tenses.

Here's a little help from our friend Jordan at Gringo Español

Spanish Preterite Tense

The preterite is used when referring to actions that were completed in the past. When you use the preterite, it also implies that the action had a definite beginning and a definite end. In English, you might say a sentence like Yesterday I cleaned the house for two hours-in this sentence, the timeframe is very specific. Translating this sentence into Spanish, you would use the preterite tense. Another example of the preterite might be I ate five strawberries.

Preterite -ar endings

For regular -ar verbs, to form the preterite you drop the -ar and replace it with the correct preterite ending. Here's an example with the verb caminar (to walk):

Preterite -er/ir endings

We do the same thing will verbs ending in -er and -ir. Here's an example with the verb comer (to eat):

Irregular Preterite Verbs

Of course, some verbs will have irregular conjugations in the preterite. Some of the most common of these include: ser, ir, dar, hacer, estar, poner, tener, haber, querer, venir, andar, poder, and saber. You will need to memorize the six preterite forms for each of these irregular verbs.

Irregular Preterite Verbs

Spanish Imperfect Tense

The imperfect is used to denote an action that took place in the past, but the specifics of the timeframe are left up in the air. We use the imperfect in English, too.

For example:

They were eating dinner when I arrived.

Using "were" plus the gerund denotes the imperfect past in English. Here, we know that the action of eating dinner took place in the past, but it does not have a definite beginning or end, nor does it matter for the sentence's purpose. We don't know when they stopped eating dinner, but in this sentence it doesn't matter because we are more focused on the fact that they were eating.

Another example of the imperfect in English might be:

I used to go fishing with my dad.

"I used to go" denotes that something used to occur before but now it doesn't. Again when using the imperfect we don't care so much about the details of what happened (when I do, how did I, when did I stop going) the important fact in this sentence is that there was a time when I would go but I no longer go anymore.

Imperfect -ar endings

When forming the imperfect for a regular -ar verb, drop the -ar just like in the preterite conjugation but this time we add the imperfect ending. Here's an example using caminar again:

Imperfect -er/-ir endings

Same deal with -er/-ir endings, just drop the infinitive ending and add the imperfect. Here's an example using comer again:

Irregular Imperfect Verbs

Luckily, there are only three verbs that are irregular in the imperfect past: ser, ver, and ir.

Irregular Imperfect Verbs

Some Verbs Change Meaning Depending on Tense

For some verbs, using it in the preterite versus the imperfect can create a slightly different meaning. Compare the translations of these sentences in the preterite versus in the imperfect:

Distinguishing Between Preterite and Imperfect

What you did vs What you were doing

The basic rule of thumb when it comes to figuring out which tense to use is that the preterite talks about things you did, and the imperfect talks about things you were doing at some point in time, or that you used to do. With some practice, this is fairly easy to remember. Consider these examples:

Toqué el piano - I played the piano (and I finished the action).

Yo tocaba el piano - I used to play the piano; or, you are saying that you were playing the piano when setting the scene for a story.

Me comí la manzana - I ate the apple. The action is complete.

Yo comía la manzana - I was eating the apple (when something else happened).

Yo leí el libro - I read the book (and now I'm done).

Yo leía el libro - I was reading the book (and the start and end times don't matter).

What happened vs The way things were

Another way to look at it is that the preterite is for talking about things that happened in the past, while the imperfect is for the way things were in the past. Using the same sentences:

Toqué el piano - I played the piano (yesterday, or that night, or whatever specific timeframe context provides)

Yo tocaba el piano - I used to play the piano at some point in the past, but I don't anymore.

Me comí la manzana - I ate the apple (yesterday night).

Yo comía manzanas - I used to eat apples (and maybe I don't anymore).

Yo leí el libro - I read the book.

Yo leía libros - I used to read books.

Use context clues

When reading or listening to Spanish, you can use context clues to figure out whether a verb phrase is in the preterite or imperfect tense. Certain temporal phrases are associated with either the preterite or the imperfect. You can also learn these phrases to help you express yourself better.

Phrases that hint toward the preterite:

ayer - yesterday

anoche - last night

después - afterward

durante dos semanas - for two weeks

el mes pasado - last monthel

otro día - the other day

en ese momento - at that moment

entonces - then

esta tarde - this afternoon

hace dos días - two days ago

Phrases that hint toward the Imperfect:

a menudo - often

a veces - sometimes

cada día - every day

muchas veces - many times

nunca - never

siempre - always

todos los días - every day

todo el tiempo - all the time

varias veces - several times

Mastering the Two Spanish Past Tenses

Practice make perfect

One of the most efficient ways to master any Spanish grammatical concept is to practice with another person who can give you feedback and constructive criticism. Story-telling is an excellent form of practicing verb tenses.

Try telling a story to your tutor or friend and having them correct you on your mistakes. Then, have them tell you a story in return, and pay attention to their choice of verb tense.

Another way you can get the hang of Spanish grammar is to watch your favorite TV shows and movies, but turn on Spanish subtitles. Pay attention to the sentences in English that are past tense, and make note of which verb tense they use in the Spanish subtitle.

Other media, such as Spanish-language movies or even videos like these can solidify your Spanish skills. Practice quizzes are also enormously helpful, such as this one.

Conclusion

Distinguishing between the preterite and the imperfect is one of the most challenging aspects of learning Spanish, and it's also one the most important. That being said, it's not impossible. With a little know how and a lot of practice you should be able to use both with no problems

Leave a comment if you have any questions about these two slightly tricky verb forms!

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Preterite vs. Imperfect Tense (Which to Use & When) - Spanish Hackers

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To be honest, learning the differences between the two Spanish past tenses was ridiculously difficult for me, as I had lived my whole life speaking English, where verb tenses are not nearly as clearly defined. Today, I'll make it easier for you by explaining the differences that I learned as I was mastering Spanish verb [...]

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I like this site because it covers the differences in the tenses and gives visual graphs that may help people who learn better by seeing the actual thing in front of them.

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Preterite vs. Imperfect: How to use these past tenses in Spanish?

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In your Spanish learning journey, you have probably come across two tenses to talk about the past: the preterite and the imperfect. These tenses are commonl ...

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I like this site as it helps break down the conjugation patterns, the irregular words in both, when to use them, and also has ways to help you practice as well.

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1. The written lesson is below.

2. Links to quizzes, tests, etc. are to the left.

Here are all three regular preterite verb forms together:

Note: The nosotros forms for -ar and -ir verbs are the same in both preterite and present tenses: hablamos, vivimos.

Here are all three regular imperfect verb forms together:

Generally speaking, the preterite is used for actions in the past that are seen as completed, while the imperfect tense is used for past actions that did not have a definite beginning or a definite end.

Juan habló dos horas.
Juan spoke two hours.
(action completed)

Las chicas hablaban en inglés.
The girls used to speak in English.
(no definite beginning or end)

Another way to view this is that the preterite tells us specifically when an action took place, while the imperfect tells us in general when an action took place.
The preterite is used in the following situations:

For actions that can be viewed as single events

For actions that were repeated a specific number of times

For actions that occurred during a specific period of time

For actions that were part of a chain of events

To state the beginning or the end of an action

The imperfect is used in the following situations:

For actions that were repeated habitually

For actions that "set the stage" for another past action

For telling time

For stating one's age

For mental states (usually)

For physical sensations (usually)

To describe the characteristics of people, things or conditions

Ser, ir, dar and hacer are irregular in the preterite:

Note: This is not a typo; ser and ir do have identical conjugations in the preterite!

There are only three irregular verbs in the imperfect:

Some words and phrases indicate specific time frames, and therefore signal the use of the preterite.

ayer (yesterday)
anteayer (the day before yesterday)
anoche (last night)
desde el primer momento (from the first moment)
durante dos siglos (for two centuries)
el otro día (the other day)
en ese momento (at that moment)
entonces (then)
esta mañana (this morning)
esta tarde (this afternoon)
la semana pasada (last week)
el mes pasado (last month)
el año pasado (last year)
hace dos días, años (two days, years ago)
ayer por la mañana (yesterday morning)
ayer por la tarde (yesterday afternoon)

Other words and phrases indicate repetitive, vague or non-specific time frames, and therefore signal the use of the imperfect.

-ar and -er verbs that change their stem in the present tense do not change in the preterite. They are conjugated just like other regular preterite verbs.

-ir verbs that change their stem in the present tense do change in the preterite, but in a different way. They change e:i and o:u in the third person, singular and plural.
There are a number of orthographic changing verbs in the preterite:

Verbs that end in -gar change g to gu

Verbs that end in -car change c to qu

Verbs that end in -zar change z to c

Verbs that end in -aer, -eer, -oír, -oer, and uir change ió to yó and ieron to yeron

Here are three more verbs that are irregular in the preterite:

Verbs that end in -ucir are irregular and conjugated as follows:

There are a number of verbs that are irregular in the preterite that follow a particular pattern. The pattern is that while their stems change, they all take the following endings:

Here are the verbs, along with their corresponding stem changes:

Exception: hacer (el/ella/usted hizo)

Some verbs actually change meaning, depending upon whether they are used in the preterite or the imperfect. This is not surprising, since the difference in meaning can be traced back to the different way in which these two past tenses are used.
conocer querer no querer saber poder tener

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Preterite vs Imperfect: Part IV - StudySpanish.com

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The written lesson is below. Links to quizzes, tests, etc. are to the left. Here are all three regular preterite verb forms together: Note: The nosotros forms for -ar and -ir verbs are the same in both preterite and present tenses: hablamos, vivimos.

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A helpful video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaDYhZMUAew

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Preterite Vs Imperfect Song! (Cielito Lindo)

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I share this every time but I love conjuguemos! It is such a fun way to learn and practice conjugations. There are multiple types of games you can play which keeps things exciting!
https://conjuguemos.com/verb/133

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Present Tense (regular verbs only) || Conjuguemos

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Practice your Spanish verb conjugations for the Present Tense (regular verbs only) with graded drill activities and fun multi-player games.

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https://spanishhackers.com/preterite-vs-imperfect-tense/

This is a great article that helps explain some of the best "rules of thumb" about the preterite and imperfect in Spanish.

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To be honest, learning the differences between the two Spanish past tenses was ridiculously difficult for me, as I had lived my whole life speaking English, where verb tenses are not nearly as clearly defined. Today, I'll make it easier for you by explaining the differences that I learned as I was mastering Spanish verb tenses.

Here's a little help from our friend Jordan at Gringo Español

Spanish Preterite Tense

The preterite is used when referring to actions that were completed in the past. When you use the preterite, it also implies that the action had a definite beginning and a definite end. In English, you might say a sentence like Yesterday I cleaned the house for two hours-in this sentence, the timeframe is very specific. Translating this sentence into Spanish, you would use the preterite tense. Another example of the preterite might be I ate five strawberries.

Preterite -ar endings

For regular -ar verbs, to form the preterite you drop the -ar and replace it with the correct preterite ending. Here's an example with the verb caminar (to walk):

Preterite -er/ir endings

We do the same thing will verbs ending in -er and -ir. Here's an example with the verb comer (to eat):

Irregular Preterite Verbs

Of course, some verbs will have irregular conjugations in the preterite. Some of the most common of these include: ser, ir, dar, hacer, estar, poner, tener, haber, querer, venir, andar, poder, and saber. You will need to memorize the six preterite forms for each of these irregular verbs.

Irregular Preterite Verbs

Spanish Imperfect Tense

The imperfect is used to denote an action that took place in the past, but the specifics of the timeframe are left up in the air. We use the imperfect in English, too.

For example:

They were eating dinner when I arrived.

Using "were" plus the gerund denotes the imperfect past in English. Here, we know that the action of eating dinner took place in the past, but it does not have a definite beginning or end, nor does it matter for the sentence's purpose. We don't know when they stopped eating dinner, but in this sentence it doesn't matter because we are more focused on the fact that they were eating.

Another example of the imperfect in English might be:

I used to go fishing with my dad.

"I used to go" denotes that something used to occur before but now it doesn't. Again when using the imperfect we don't care so much about the details of what happened (when I do, how did I, when did I stop going) the important fact in this sentence is that there was a time when I would go but I no longer go anymore.

Imperfect -ar endings

When forming the imperfect for a regular -ar verb, drop the -ar just like in the preterite conjugation but this time we add the imperfect ending. Here's an example using caminar again:

Imperfect -er/-ir endings

Same deal with -er/-ir endings, just drop the infinitive ending and add the imperfect. Here's an example using comer again:

Irregular Imperfect Verbs

Luckily, there are only three verbs that are irregular in the imperfect past: ser, ver, and ir.

Irregular Imperfect Verbs

Some Verbs Change Meaning Depending on Tense

For some verbs, using it in the preterite versus the imperfect can create a slightly different meaning. Compare the translations of these sentences in the preterite versus in the imperfect:

Distinguishing Between Preterite and Imperfect

What you did vs What you were doing

The basic rule of thumb when it comes to figuring out which tense to use is that the preterite talks about things you did, and the imperfect talks about things you were doing at some point in time, or that you used to do. With some practice, this is fairly easy to remember. Consider these examples:

Toqué el piano - I played the piano (and I finished the action).

Yo tocaba el piano - I used to play the piano; or, you are saying that you were playing the piano when setting the scene for a story.

Me comí la manzana - I ate the apple. The action is complete.

Yo comía la manzana - I was eating the apple (when something else happened).

Yo leí el libro - I read the book (and now I'm done).

Yo leía el libro - I was reading the book (and the start and end times don't matter).

What happened vs The way things were

Another way to look at it is that the preterite is for talking about things that happened in the past, while the imperfect is for the way things were in the past. Using the same sentences:

Toqué el piano - I played the piano (yesterday, or that night, or whatever specific timeframe context provides)

Yo tocaba el piano - I used to play the piano at some point in the past, but I don't anymore.

Me comí la manzana - I ate the apple (yesterday night).

Yo comía manzanas - I used to eat apples (and maybe I don't anymore).

Yo leí el libro - I read the book.

Yo leía libros - I used to read books.

Use context clues

When reading or listening to Spanish, you can use context clues to figure out whether a verb phrase is in the preterite or imperfect tense. Certain temporal phrases are associated with either the preterite or the imperfect. You can also learn these phrases to help you express yourself better.

Phrases that hint toward the preterite:

ayer - yesterday

anoche - last night

después - afterward

durante dos semanas - for two weeks

el mes pasado - last monthel

otro día - the other day

en ese momento - at that moment

entonces - then

esta tarde - this afternoon

hace dos días - two days ago

Phrases that hint toward the Imperfect:

a menudo - often

a veces - sometimes

cada día - every day

muchas veces - many times

nunca - never

siempre - always

todos los días - every day

todo el tiempo - all the time

varias veces - several times

Mastering the Two Spanish Past Tenses

Practice make perfect

One of the most efficient ways to master any Spanish grammatical concept is to practice with another person who can give you feedback and constructive criticism. Story-telling is an excellent form of practicing verb tenses.

Try telling a story to your tutor or friend and having them correct you on your mistakes. Then, have them tell you a story in return, and pay attention to their choice of verb tense.

Another way you can get the hang of Spanish grammar is to watch your favorite TV shows and movies, but turn on Spanish subtitles. Pay attention to the sentences in English that are past tense, and make note of which verb tense they use in the Spanish subtitle.

Other media, such as Spanish-language movies or even videos like these can solidify your Spanish skills. Practice quizzes are also enormously helpful, such as this one.

Conclusion

Distinguishing between the preterite and the imperfect is one of the most challenging aspects of learning Spanish, and it's also one the most important. That being said, it's not impossible. With a little know how and a lot of practice you should be able to use both with no problems

Leave a comment if you have any questions about these two slightly tricky verb forms!

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Preterite vs. Imperfect Tense (Which to Use & When) - Spanish Hackers

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To be honest, learning the differences between the two Spanish past tenses was ridiculously difficult for me, as I had lived my whole life speaking English, where verb tenses are not nearly as clearly defined. Today, I'll make it easier for you by explaining the differences that I learned as I was mastering Spanish verb [...]

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https://conjuguemos.com/activities/spanish/verb/1
I personally really enjoy using the website conjuguemos for practicing conjugations. The site offers multiple types of games making it fun and slightly addicting at times!

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Practice your verb conjugations with helpful drills and quizzes.

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She gives some examples and walks you through it. Now I understand when to use pronouns and when I should use the imperfect verses the preterite.

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Spanish Imperfect Tense Tutorial - non-corrected version

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This is a nice video that helps clarify the preterite vs imperfect and how to use. I found the section about the past tense especially helpful!

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02 Spanish Lesson - preterite vs imperfect (part 1)

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I enjoy his videos. I am musical by nature and enjoy learning in non-traditional ways. Hope this helps someone!

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Preterite Vs Imperfect Song! (Cielito Lindo)

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Found this explanation to be very helpful when remember preterite vs. imperfect

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PRETERITE VS IMPERFECT | Spanish Past Tense

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I really like this website because in addition to explaining what the preterit and imperfect is it also gives multiple examples and even has a knowledge check/ quiz at the end of website!

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Ready for a blast from the past?

As you may know, Spanish has two past tenses: preterite and imperfect. It's often tricky to know which to use when, since they both refer to actions in the past. Fortunately, several general guidelines exist to help you realize when to use preterite vs imperfect.

It's also helpful to know which Spanish phrases trigger the use of either the preterite or the imperfect, so we'll take a look at those later.

Are You a Visual Learner? Watch the Video of This Lesson

Preterite vs Imperfect Conjugation Rules

The preterite tells you precisely when something happened in the past, while the imperfect tells you in general terms when an action took place with no definite ending. Here's a quick look at how to conjugate regular verbs in the preterite and imperfect forms.

Be sure to check out our post on All You Ever Needed to Know About Spanish Simple Past Tense Verbs for a thorough rundown of both regular and irregular preterite verb conjugations.

Preterite: Regular -ar Verbs

-é

-aste

-ó

-amos

-aron

For example: hablar (to talk) becomes yo hablé, tú hablaste, él/ella/Ud. habló, nosotros hablamos, and ellos/Uds. hablaron

Preterite: Regular -er and -ir Verbs

-í

-iste

-ió

-imos

-ieron
Examples
Correr (to run): corrí, corriste, corrió, corrimos, corrieron

Abrir (to open): abrí, abriste, abrió, abrimos, abrieron

Imperfect: Regular -ar Verbs

-aba

-abas

-aba

-ábamos

-abais

-aban

So, hablar in this form becomes hablaba, hablabas, hablaba, hablábamos, hablaban.

Imperfect: Regular -er and -ir Verbs

-ía

-ías

-ía

-íamos

-ían
Examples
Correr (to run): corría, corrías, corría, corríamos, corrían

Abrir (to open): abría, abrías, abría, abríamos, abrían

El Preterito

Phrases that Trigger the Preterite

A handful of words and phrases indicate specific time frames that signal the use of the preterite (vs imperfect). Let's take a look at some of them!

el otro día - the other day

ayer - yesterday

la semana pasada - last week

el mes pasado - last month

el año pasado - last year

en ese momento - at that moment

durante (cinco) siglos - for (five) centuries

desde el primer momento - from the first moment

ayer por la tarde - yesterday afternoon

hoy por la mañana - this morning

hace (diez) años - (ten) years ago

hace (tres) días - (three) days ago

Verbs that (Almost) Always Use the Preterite

Furthermore, verbs used to discuss events with a certain beginning and end are almost always used in the preterite. Por ejemplo:

graduarse - to graduate

cumplir años - to have a birthday

llegar - to arrive

darse cuenta de - to realize

morir - to die

decidir - to decide

nacer - to be born

descubrir - to discover
You might also like to read:
El Preterito Imperfecto

On the other hand, you'll be using the imperfect tense to talk about past actions without a definite end. Perhaps they are yet to be completed or they refer to a general time in the past. The imperfect form is typically used for: habitually repeated actions; time and dates; someone's age in the past; characteristics; and mental or physical states.

Phrases that Trigger the Imperfect

Lucky for you, there are also a bunch of words and phrases that tend to signal that a verb should be used in the imperfect!

frecuentemente - frequently

rara vez - rarely

a veces - sometimes

generalmente - usually

algunas veces - at times

todos los años - every year

muchas veces - many times

todo el tiempo- all the time

con frecuencia - frequently

casi nunca - almost never

por lo general - generally

todos los días - every day

de vez en cuando - once in a while

en aquella época - at that time

Preterite vs Imperfect Examples

These past tense forms are often used to talk about an ongoing action or event that was interrupted. Here, the interrupted action uses the imperfect tense, while the interrupting action uses the preterite.

For example:

Caminaba a la biblioteca cuando me encontré con el amor de mi vida.
I was walking to the library when I met the love of my life.

Juana y Alberto hablaban de la reunión cuando llegué a la oficina.
Juana and Alberto were talking about the meeting when I got to the office.

Preterite vs Imperfect Statements

The rule of thumb for determining which tense to use is that the preterite talks about what you did, and the imperfect talks about what you were doing or what you used to do. Notice how the meaning changes for these verbs in the preterite vs the imperfect.

Preterite vs Imperfect Exercises

To test your knowledge of when to use the preterite versus the imperfect, fill in the blank(s) by correctly conjugating the verbs in parenthesis.

1. Cuando era niña, ________ (JUGAR) con muñecas.

2. Los chicos ________ (HABLAR) en español.

3. Yo ________ (ESTAR) durmiendo cuando el teléfono ________ (SONAR).

4. Cuando Ana _______ (TENER) tres años, ________ (SER) muy pequeña.

5. Mi hermano nunca me ________ (LLAMAR) antes de las once

6. Ella nunca me ________ (DAR) ningún regalo.

7. Entonces Jessica ________ (EMPEZAR) a tocar la música.

8. Los gemelos ________ (TENER) seis años de edad cuando _______ (NACER) su hermanita.

9. Yo ________ (PINTARSE) el pelo ayer.

10. Don Quijote siempre _______ (HACER) locuras por una dama, que ________ (LLAMARSE) Dulcinea.
Check out the answer key here!

Preterite vs Imperfect Grammar Study Activities

Looking for some more ways to study and practice with the past tense in Spanish? Here are a few fun ideas:

Use storytelling to practice the simple past verb tenses. Tell your teacher or language partner a story and ask them to correct your mistakes. Next, ask them to tell you a story, and pay close attention to their verb tenses.

Watch your favorite TV shows, videos, or movies with Spanish subtitles turned on. When a character talks about the past, make note of how the preterite versus the imperfect is used in the subtitles.

Take practice quizzes like this one to continue to solidify your skills!

Don't Dwell on the Past

Mastering Spanish grammar is tough! Practicing with another person who can give you feedback and constructive criticism is one of the most efficient ways to improve. Homeschool Spanish Academy offers flexible and fun Spanish classes for every level. Our native Spanish-speaking teachers from Guatemala are eager to assist you in communicating about the past, present, and future. Sign up now for a free trial to see how quickly you can gain Spanish fluency.

Want more groundbreaking Spanish grammar lessons? Check out our recent posts!

1. jugaba

2. hablaban

3. estaba, sonó

4. tenía, era

5. llamaba

6. daba

7. empezó

8. tenían, nació

9. me pinté

10. hacía, se llamaba

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Preterite vs Imperfect: A Beginner's Guide to the Past Tense in Spanish

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Ready for a blast from the past? As you may know, Spanish has two past tenses: preterite and imperfect. It's often tricky to know which to use when, since they both refer to actions in the past. Fortunately, several general guidelines exist to help you realize when to use preterite vs imperfect.

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Helpful!

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Spanish Past Tense: Preterite vs Imperfect

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I also liked https://www.wyzant.com/blog/preterite-vs-imperfect/
I found it to be very helpful with great examples.

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Past Tense Spanish: Preterite vs. Imperfect and Everything In-Between – Wyzant Blog

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A critical aspect of the Spanish language is learning the conjugation of verbs in different tenses. As your knowledge of the language keeps progressing, you’ll start learning to talk about activities or events that occurred in the past. For that skill, the Spanish Past Tense is very useful.

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Quick and helpful

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Spanish Past Tense: Preterite Vs. Imperfect, Rule of Thumb

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https://www.whynotspanish.com/preterite-vs-imperfect-uses/

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When to Use Preterite or Imperfect?

When it comes to talking about what you did yesterday or two years ago, you will have different options in Spanish. If you have been studying Spanish for a while, you have probably heard the word: preterite. This is just the name teachers and linguists use to say: past. Fancy, huh?

The ones that cause the most confusion for English speakers are: Preterite simple (also known as "preterite"), and preterite imperfect (also known as imperfect).

The Regular Conjugations:

Use preterite in Spanish to answer the question: what happened? (comí, bebí, trabajé). If you are not answering that question, you can usually use a verb in the imperfect. If it answers to the question: what was going on when something else happened? use imperfect (comía, bebía,trabajaba...). Remember: usually, the preterite is used to relate events. Use the imperfect to describe what was going on in the past.

When you are narrating a story, both tenses (the preterite and the imperfect) can occur in the same story. Narrating a story implies describing a setting (habitual actions, atmosphere, places) and recounting a series of events.

Some Examples:

Imperfect: (set the scene): Antes, yo vivía en una casa grande (Before, I lived in a big house)

Preterite (event): Un día me levanté a usar el baño. (One day I got up to use the restroom).

The preterite is also used for activities that lasted for a precise length of time, with a definite beginning and end. On the other hand, the imperfect is use for indefinite lengths of time;

Definite period of time: De 1989 a 2014, vivi en esa casa grande.

Indefinite Periods of time: Antes / cuando era niña / en esa época vivía en esa casa grande.

You can use the following adverbs associated with each of the past tenses:

NOTE: Usually, when verbs like ser, tener, poder, querer, and saber are in a past narration, they will be in the imperfect, since they most likely describe a past state of being or condition. However, when these verbs occur in the preterite they indicate a change of state or a change of condition.

Ultimately it is the entire context that determines which of the tenses to use and not a given adverb.

In the following story, check out how the story opens with a description of my house when I was a girl in the imperfect. This serves as an explanatory background to the following series of events in preterite:

The Story:

https://www.whynotspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Maria-read-scary-story-in-spanish.mp3

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Preterite vs. Imperfect? How to Use Each? - WhyNotSpanish.com

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When it comes to talking about what you did yesterday or two years ago, you will have different options in Spanish. If you have been studying Spanish for a while, you have probably heard the word: preterite. This is just the name teachers and linguists use to say: past. Fancy, huh?

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This site has good explanations and lots of quizzes to practice.

https://studyspanish.com/grammar/lessons/pretimp1

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1. The written lesson is below.

2. Links to quizzes, tests, etc. are to the left.

Spanish has two past tenses: preterite and imperfect. Most verbs can be put into either tense, depending upon the meaning. In this lesson, you will learn to conjugate regular -ar verbs in the preterite and the imperfect. You will also learn the basic difference between the preterite and the imperfect, so that you can begin using them correctly.

To conjugate regular -ar verbs in the preterite, simply drop the ending (-ar) and add one of the following:

To conjugate regular -ar verbs in the imperfect, simply drop the ending (-ar) and add one of the following:

Compare the verb "hablar" conjugated in the preterite and the imperfect.

Generally speaking, the preterite is used for actions in the past that are seen as completed. Use of the preterite tense implies that the past action had a definite beginning and definite end.

Juan habló de la una hasta las dos.
Juan spoke from one until two o'clock.
(clearly stated beginning and end)

It is important to realize that the beginning and the end may not always be clearly stated.

Juan habló dos horas.
Juan spoke for two hours.
(implied beginning and end)

Juan habló con la estudiante.
Juan spoke with the student.
(implied beginning and end)

Generally speaking, the imperfect is used for actions in the past that are not seen as completed. Use of the imperfect tense implies that the past action did not have a definite beginning or a definite end.

Las chicas hablaban en inglés.

The girls used to speak in English.
(no definite beginning or end)

You have now learned the basic difference between the preterite and the imperfect:

The preterite tells us specifically when an action took place.

The imperfect tells us in general when an action took place.

Note: Although this difference may appear simple, this is actually a complex topic, and you will learn the finer points in later lessons.

Let's add two more flashcards, one for regular -ar preterite, and one for regular -ar imperfect:

Imperfect: regular -ar verbs
-ábamos
-abais

-aban
hablaba, hablabas, hablaba, hablábamos, hablabais, hablaban

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Preterite vs Imperfect: Part I - StudySpanish.com

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The written lesson is below. Links to quizzes, tests, etc. are to the left. Spanish has two past tenses: preterite and imperfect. Most verbs can be put into either tense, depending upon the meaning. In this lesson, you will learn to conjugate regular -ar verbs in the preterite and the imperfect.

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https://youtu.be/7ZSv3hfG01g

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Spanish Past Tense: Preterite vs Imperfect

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I like this guy- he sort of lightens up and simplifies it all! I felt clearer on when to use each conjugation after watching his video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nVHhqblh88

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https://www.spanishdict.com/guide/preterite-vs-imperfect-in-spanish

I like this site for preterite and imperfect because of the explanations, charts with useful examples for situations and practice exercises to test your understanding! Scrolling down past the exercises to get the explanations first!

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I love this presentation because it uses mnemonics for both preterite and imperfect and I find those to be super helpful!

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Successfully reported this slideshow.

1. 1. PRETERITE VS. IMPERFECT When to use these past tenses

2. 2. Preterite SIMBA* Sequence of events - I woke up, brushed my teeth, and took a shower.* Interruption - I was watching TV when the phone rang.* Main Event - It was cold out and snowing. I went sledding.* Beginning/End of an event - The game ended at 5:00.* Action completed - Yo fui al centro comercial ayer.

3. 3. When to Use the Preterite* When an action was completed* When an action was completed at a specific time* When an action was completed a specific number of times* When an action began or ended* When an action interrupts another action

4. 4. Phrases that indicate use of the preterite* Ayer * Hace (dos días)* Anteayer * Por la mañana* Anoche * A las 10:00* Desde el primer * El martes/lunes/etc. momento* Durante (dos siglos) * Parenthesis indicate a* El otro (día) measure of time that can* En ese momento be interchangeable.* Entonces Ex: (El año) pasado* Esta (mañana) El verano pasado* (El año) pasado

5. 5. Imperfect DARE TWO B U* Description - My mother was tall.* Age - I was 18 years old.* Repeated Action - I always got good grades. - Every summer we went camping.* Emotion - I was bored.* Time - It was 5:00 in the afternoon.* Weather - It was raining.* Ongoing Action - My mother was cleaning the kitchen.* Background information - It was a rainy and foggy day. My sisters were playing and my parents were reading the paper.* Use to.... - I use to love that movie!

6. 6. When to use the Imperfect* To state in general when an action took place* To describe background information* To express weather* To tell time* To tell age* To describe physical and mental states and conditions, including feelings* To express habitual actions* To express what used to happen* To express what was/were...ing

7. 7. Phrases that indicate use of the Imperfect* A menudo * En aquella época* A veces * Frecuentemente* Cada (día) * Generalmente* Nunca * Muchas veces* Rara vez * Mucho* Siempre * De vez en cuando* Casi siempre * Con frecuencia

8. 8. ¡OJO!* Some verbs change meaning depending on whether they are in the preterite or in the imperfect...

9. 9. Verbs that change meaning in the preterite and imperfect Preterite Imperfect* Querer- tried * Querer-wanted* No querer-refused * No querer- didn't want* Conocer-met * Conocer-knew* Saber-found out * Saber-knew* Poder-succeeded * Poder-was able* Tener-received * Tener-used to have

10. 10. Examples of the preterite tensePaco trabajó en el supermercado hace dos años.Paco worked at the supermarket 2 years ago.Yo leí el periódico ayer por la tarde.I read the newspaper yesterday afternoon.Comimos una torta en la fiesta el viernes pasado.We ate a cake at the party last Friday.

11. 11. Examples of the imperfect tenseHacía mal tiempo.It was bad weather.Yo tenía miedo de la tormenta.I was afraid of the storm.Mi abuelo tenía 84 años.My grandfather was 84 years old.Mi padre era un chico malo.My father was a bad boy.

12. 12. Examples of the preterite vs. the imperfect tensesBeto estudió anoche.Beto studied last night.Beto estudiaba todas las noches.Beto used to study every night.Beto estudiaba cuando se durmió.Beto was studying when he fell asleep.

13. 13. Practice* Anoche Luís comió/comía unos tacos.* Hace un año viajamos/viajábamos a Costa Rica.* Isabel tuvo/tenía seis años cuando aprendió/aprendía a montar la bicicleta.* Yo estuve/estaba en la clase de historia cuando mi mamá me llamó/llamaba.* Fueron/Eran las tres de la tarde cuando Marco llegó/llegaba a casa.* Tú siempre sacaste/sacabas buenas notas.* Manuela fue/era muy simpática.* El otro día yo fui/iba a la biblioteca.* Nosotras asistimos/asistíamos a la clase de baile solamente tres veces.* 10)De vez en cuando mi mamá cocinó/cocinaba comida china.

Recommended

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Successfully reported this slideshow. 1. PRETERITE VS. IMPERFECT When to use these past tenses 2. Preterite SIMBA* Sequence of events - I woke up, brushed my teeth, and took a shower.* Interruption - I was watching TV when the phone rang.* Main Event - It was cold out and snowing.

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For some reason my computer wont let me log into Youtube but I have noticed others posting the same video so ill just explain! A few weeks ago our professor told us to look up the preterit song to the tune of La Cucaracha. I did and its so helpful! Don't get me wrong, I'm still really confused at times but I think having a catchy song that I know really helps me remember certain words. When he says "ir es fui y tambien ser" has helped me the most so far!

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I found this video on YouTube that I love because it thoroughly explains the imperfect, is short, and even has some practice question there to use. Check it out!
https://youtu.be/6pNZ-BopVhs

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I thought these examples helped to provide some hard examples to put into my memory bank.

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I really like the website below because it gives more specific instances for when the imperfect is used versus when the preterit is used.

https://www.wyzant.com/blog/preterite-vs-imperfect/

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https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proprofs.com%2Fflashcards%2Fstory.php%3Ftitle%3Dverbs-that-change-meaning-in-preterite-imperfect&psig=AOvVaw0J2XZorR5PF4OczZjcbR8r&ust=1589842513604000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCPCZjIb_u-kCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

I like this resource because it helps you figure out when to use each and how to figure that out.

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This source provides the basic knowledge and explanation for what the Preterite and the Imperfect are as well as how they are different and examples of how to use them.

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Many students have trouble knowing when to use the preterite tense or the imperfect tense, as they both refer to actions in the past. There are several general rules you can follow to know when to use one tense or another. Additionally, many Spanish phrases tend to be used only with the preterite or only with the imperfect, so memorizing them is very helpful! In this article, we'll take a look at the general uses of both tenses, as well as helpful "trigger" phrases.

For example:

The Preterite

Generally, the preterite is used for completed actions (actions that have definite beginning and end points.) These can be actions that can be viewed as single events, actions that were part of a chain of events, actions that were repeated a very specific number of times, or actions that specifically state the beginning and end of an action.

Check out these examples:

Useful Phrases that Trigger the Preterite

There are many helpful words and phrases that indicate specific time frames, therefore signaling that the preterite should be used. Here are a few:

Verbs that are Preterite by Nature

Some verbs used to talk about events with a very definite beginning and end are almost always used in the preterite. Here are a few examples.

The Imperfect

The imperfect tense is generally used for actions in the past that do not have a definite end. These can be actions that are not yet completed or refer to a time in general in the past. It can also be used to talk about:

actions that were repeated habitually

actions that set the stage for another past tense event

time and dates

a person's age in the past

characteristics

mental or physical states

Check out these examples:

Useful Phrases that Trigger the Imperfect

Here are some helpful words and phrases that often signal that a verb should be used in the imperfect.

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Spanish Grammar Articles and Lessons | SpanishDictionary.com

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Expert articles and interactive video lessons on how to use the Spanish language. Learn about 'por' vs. 'para', Spanish pronunciation, typing Spanish accents, and more.

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https://padlet.com/raven_chakerian/683hagjizmj2

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I really enjoy watching spanish netflix shows and listening to songs in Spanish. This is a song that will help with memorization. A catchy jingle is sure to stick. This video goes along to the beat of Happy by Pharrell WIlliams. Enjoy!

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"Happy" Spanish music video for the Preterite Tense

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I really like Spanish Dictionary because it shows different tenses of verbs like preterit and imperfect in Spanish. It is helpful for conjugation as well.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JcEXDaK9gU I've seen some people posting about this guy already, and I agree with them that he's awesome! This one is a step further from the Rule of Thumb (and longer) and shows how to better distinguish between Preterite and Imperfect in real life by using quotes from Orange is the New Black. I like him because he makes his examples relatable and takes his lessons slowly, so you don't fall behind on complicated topics.

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Preterite Vs. Imperfect, Life Lessons (Spanish Past Tense)

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I really like this source because it's visually easy to understand and it gives you quizzes to test your knowledge, but be careful because this website only has the info on it (aka you have to do more research if you have questions).

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Many students have trouble knowing when to use the preterite tense or the imperfect tense, as they both refer to actions in the past. There are several general rules you can follow to know when to use one tense or another. Additionally, many Spanish phrases tend to be used only with the preterite or only with the imperfect, so memorizing them is very helpful! In this article, we'll take a look at the general uses of both tenses, as well as helpful "trigger" phrases.

For example:

The Preterite

Generally, the preterite is used for completed actions (actions that have definite beginning and end points.) These can be actions that can be viewed as single events, actions that were part of a chain of events, actions that were repeated a very specific number of times, or actions that specifically state the beginning and end of an action.

Check out these examples:

Useful Phrases that Trigger the Preterite

There are many helpful words and phrases that indicate specific time frames, therefore signaling that the preterite should be used. Here are a few:

Verbs that are Preterite by Nature

Some verbs used to talk about events with a very definite beginning and end are almost always used in the preterite. Here are a few examples.

The Imperfect

The imperfect tense is generally used for actions in the past that do not have a definite end. These can be actions that are not yet completed or refer to a time in general in the past. It can also be used to talk about:

actions that were repeated habitually

actions that set the stage for another past tense event

time and dates

a person's age in the past

characteristics

mental or physical states

Check out these examples:

Useful Phrases that Trigger the Imperfect

Here are some helpful words and phrases that often signal that a verb should be used in the imperfect.

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Spanish Grammar Articles and Lessons | SpanishDictionary.com

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Expert articles and interactive video lessons on how to use the Spanish language. Learn about 'por' vs. 'para', Spanish pronunciation, typing Spanish accents, and more.

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I find this very useful as a quick reminder that is easy to remember

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Pick Span2: Preterit V Imperfect Indicators - Lessons - Tes Teach

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Capítulo 4: "SIMBA CHEATED" El Pretérito v.El Imperfecto - Señora ...

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I find this site helpful for most topics in class. They have explanations and quizzes for extra practice.
https://studyspanish.com/grammar/lessons/pretimp1

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When I need practice, I ALWAYS use this website. They have a ton of great practice activities and one big plus is that they are graded so you can improve. If you go to https://conjuguemos.com/activities/spanish/grammar/1 there is at least 5 activities for preterite vs imperfect, as well as a ton of other exercises.

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Practice your verb conjugations with helpful drills and quizzes.

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I wanted to share this video as well because in addition to being helpful in learning the difference between the Preterite and Imperfect, it also was fun listening to these two sisters speaking. They are super cute and are easy to understand!

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Spanish Practice: Preterite vs. Imperfect [Listening Comprehension Activity - 2] (2018)🆕

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I like this video because it comes with a worksheet that you can fill out before he goes over the answers. Not only does he give you the answers afterward, but he also explains why he would answer the way that he did since there could be more than one way to answer correctly.
Enjoy!

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Spanish Practice: Preterite vs. Imperfect

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I see that a couple people posted this video and I believe they did because this guy gives a simple and easy rule to remember when learning the two verb conjugations. It was very easy for me to remember and will hopefully help me use the right form in the future.

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Spanish Past Tense: Preterite Vs. Imperfect, Rule of Thumb

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Spanish Past Tense: Preterite vs Imperfect

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I like interactive ways to learn and practice, so I found this quiz to test circumstances in which one should use preterite/imperfect

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Can you pick the Preterite vs Imperfect Triggers? Test your knowledge on this language quiz to see how you do and compare your score to others. Quiz by Mandy96

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This site is really great at explaining the difference between preterite and imperfect with both charts to show the ending and a video to go over this information verbally. A great site!

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To be honest, learning the differences between the two Spanish past tenses was ridiculously difficult for me, as I had lived my whole life speaking English, where verb tenses are not nearly as clearly defined. Today, I'll make it easier for you by explaining the differences that I learned as I was mastering Spanish verb tenses.

Here's a little help from our friend Jordan at Gringo Español

Spanish Preterite Tense

The preterite is used when referring to actions that were completed in the past. When you use the preterite, it also implies that the action had a definite beginning and a definite end. In English, you might say a sentence like Yesterday I cleaned the house for two hours-in this sentence, the timeframe is very specific. Translating this sentence into Spanish, you would use the preterite tense. Another example of the preterite might be I ate five strawberries.

Preterite -ar endings

For regular -ar verbs, to form the preterite you drop the -ar and replace it with the correct preterite ending. Here's an example with the verb caminar (to walk):

Preterite -er/ir endings

We do the same thing will verbs ending in -er and -ir. Here's an example with the verb comer (to eat):

Irregular Preterite Verbs

Of course, some verbs will have irregular conjugations in the preterite. Some of the most common of these include: ser, ir, dar, hacer, estar, poner, tener, haber, querer, venir, andar, poder, and saber. You will need to memorize the six preterite forms for each of these irregular verbs.

Irregular Preterite Verbs

Spanish Imperfect Tense

The imperfect is used to denote an action that took place in the past, but the specifics of the timeframe are left up in the air. We use the imperfect in English, too.

For example:

They were eating dinner when I arrived.

Using "were" plus the gerund denotes the imperfect past in English. Here, we know that the action of eating dinner took place in the past, but it does not have a definite beginning or end, nor does it matter for the sentence's purpose. We don't know when they stopped eating dinner, but in this sentence it doesn't matter because we are more focused on the fact that they were eating.

Another example of the imperfect in English might be:

I used to go fishing with my dad.

"I used to go" denotes that something used to occur before but now it doesn't. Again when using the imperfect we don't care so much about the details of what happened (when I do, how did I, when did I stop going) the important fact in this sentence is that there was a time when I would go but I no longer go anymore.

Imperfect -ar endings

When forming the imperfect for a regular -ar verb, drop the -ar just like in the preterite conjugation but this time we add the imperfect ending. Here's an example using caminar again:

Imperfect -er/-ir endings

Same deal with -er/-ir endings, just drop the infinitive ending and add the imperfect. Here's an example using comer again:

Irregular Imperfect Verbs

Luckily, there are only three verbs that are irregular in the imperfect past: ser, ver, and ir.

Irregular Imperfect Verbs

Some Verbs Change Meaning Depending on Tense

For some verbs, using it in the preterite versus the imperfect can create a slightly different meaning. Compare the translations of these sentences in the preterite versus in the imperfect:

Distinguishing Between Preterite and Imperfect

What you did vs What you were doing

The basic rule of thumb when it comes to figuring out which tense to use is that the preterite talks about things you did, and the imperfect talks about things you were doing at some point in time, or that you used to do. With some practice, this is fairly easy to remember. Consider these examples:

Toqué el piano - I played the piano (and I finished the action).

Yo tocaba el piano - I used to play the piano; or, you are saying that you were playing the piano when setting the scene for a story.

Me comí la manzana - I ate the apple. The action is complete.

Yo comía la manzana - I was eating the apple (when something else happened).

Yo leí el libro - I read the book (and now I'm done).

Yo leía el libro - I was reading the book (and the start and end times don't matter).

What happened vs The way things were

Another way to look at it is that the preterite is for talking about things that happened in the past, while the imperfect is for the way things were in the past. Using the same sentences:

Toqué el piano - I played the piano (yesterday, or that night, or whatever specific timeframe context provides)

Yo tocaba el piano - I used to play the piano at some point in the past, but I don't anymore.

Me comí la manzana - I ate the apple (yesterday night).

Yo comía manzanas - I used to eat apples (and maybe I don't anymore).

Yo leí el libro - I read the book.

Yo leía libros - I used to read books.

Use context clues

When reading or listening to Spanish, you can use context clues to figure out whether a verb phrase is in the preterite or imperfect tense. Certain temporal phrases are associated with either the preterite or the imperfect. You can also learn these phrases to help you express yourself better.

Phrases that hint toward the preterite:

ayer - yesterday

anoche - last night

después - afterward

durante dos semanas - for two weeks

el mes pasado - last monthel

otro día - the other day

en ese momento - at that moment

entonces - then

esta tarde - this afternoon

hace dos días - two days ago

Phrases that hint toward the Imperfect:

a menudo - often

a veces - sometimes

cada día - every day

muchas veces - many times

nunca - never

siempre - always

todos los días - every day

todo el tiempo - all the time

varias veces - several times

Mastering the Two Spanish Past Tenses

Practice make perfect

One of the most efficient ways to master any Spanish grammatical concept is to practice with another person who can give you feedback and constructive criticism. Story-telling is an excellent form of practicing verb tenses.

Try telling a story to your tutor or friend and having them correct you on your mistakes. Then, have them tell you a story in return, and pay attention to their choice of verb tense.

Another way you can get the hang of Spanish grammar is to watch your favorite TV shows and movies, but turn on Spanish subtitles. Pay attention to the sentences in English that are past tense, and make note of which verb tense they use in the Spanish subtitle.

Other media, such as Spanish-language movies or even videos like these can solidify your Spanish skills. Practice quizzes are also enormously helpful, such as this one.

Conclusion

Distinguishing between the preterite and the imperfect is one of the most challenging aspects of learning Spanish, and it's also one the most important. That being said, it's not impossible. With a little know how and a lot of practice you should be able to use both with no problems

Leave a comment if you have any questions about these two slightly tricky verb forms!

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To be honest, learning the differences between the two Spanish past tenses was ridiculously difficult for me, as I had lived my whole life speaking English, where verb tenses are not nearly as clearly defined. Today, I'll make it easier for you by explaining the differences that I learned as I was mastering Spanish verb tenses.

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I found this on pinterest. This is similar to a graphic that I made for my French students.

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https://www.fluentu.com/blog/spanish/spanish-preterite-and-imperfect/
Once you get through the first few paragraphs of drama, this page includes pretty thorough coverage of the formation, usage, and differences between the Preterite and Imperfect -- not necessarily anything groundbreaking, but perfectly sufficient :)

ZGray

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I found this video from the Fluent Spanish Academy very nice and easy to understand. Plus the examples used are so useful and helpful.
T. Davidson

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Preterit vs Imperfect in Spanish - Master The Past Tenses & Speak Like A Native In Spanish

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Preterite VS Imperfect by "The Spanish Dude"

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Preterite VS Imperfect by "The Spanish Dude"

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I really like these videos by "The Spanish Dude". He takes into consideration how confusing it can be to figure out the correct words to say as an english speaker. He moves fast, but he makes it all seem so simple.

-Angela Miller

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Spanish Past Tense: Preterite Vs. Imperfect, Rule of Thumb

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Annie Chmielewski - Preterite - Imperfect

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Annie Chmielewski - Preterite - Imperfect

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https://i.pinimg.com/736x/95/c4/e9/95c4e99ab429909bec12c849056b7b5d--preterit-vs-imperfect-imperfect-vs-preterite-spanish.jpg
I found this great cheat sheet for how to think about the use of Preterite vs Imperfect. Also lots of fun resources on Pinterest, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/3659243422282439/

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https://studyspanish.com/grammar/lessons/pretimp1

Very useful and simple website for beginners!

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J.Lovell

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I like this website quizlet for all my studying. You can make flashcards and test yourself on them and even play games with the cards. Also you can search for a specific topic and it will give you others cards that they have made public. Very good for studying.
Rebecca Bowen

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The security system for this website has been triggered. Completing the challenge below proves you are a human and gives you temporary access.

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I found this comprehensive article on preterite and imperfect to be very helpful!

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To be honest, learning the differences between the two Spanish past tenses was ridiculously difficult for me, as I had lived my whole life speaking English, where verb tenses are not nearly as clearly defined. Today, I'll make it easier for you by explaining the differences that I learned as I was mastering Spanish verb tenses.

Here's a little help from our friend Jordan at Gringo Español

Spanish Preterite Tense

The preterite is used when referring to actions that were completed in the past. When you use the preterite, it also implies that the action had a definite beginning and a definite end. In English, you might say a sentence like Yesterday I cleaned the house for two hours-in this sentence, the timeframe is very specific. Translating this sentence into Spanish, you would use the preterite tense. Another example of the preterite might be I ate five strawberries.

Preterite -ar endings

For regular -ar verbs, to form the preterite you drop the -ar and replace it with the correct preterite ending. Here's an example with the verb caminar (to walk):

Preterite -er/ir endings

We do the same thing will verbs ending in -er and -ir. Here's an example with the verb comer (to eat):

Irregular Preterite Verbs

Of course, some verbs will have irregular conjugations in the preterite. Some of the most common of these include: ser, ir, dar, hacer, estar, poner, tener, haber, querer, venir, andar, poder, and saber. You will need to memorize the six preterite forms for each of these irregular verbs.

Irregular Preterite Verbs

Spanish Imperfect Tense

The imperfect is used to denote an action that took place in the past, but the specifics of the timeframe are left up in the air. We use the imperfect in English, too.

For example:

They were eating dinner when I arrived.

Using "were" plus the gerund denotes the imperfect past in English. Here, we know that the action of eating dinner took place in the past, but it does not have a definite beginning or end, nor does it matter for the sentence's purpose. We don't know when they stopped eating dinner, but in this sentence it doesn't matter because we are more focused on the fact that they were eating.

Another example of the imperfect in English might be:

I used to go fishing with my dad.

"I used to go" denotes that something used to occur before but now it doesn't. Again when using the imperfect we don't care so much about the details of what happened (when I do, how did I, when did I stop going) the important fact in this sentence is that there was a time when I would go but I no longer go anymore.

Imperfect -ar endings

When forming the imperfect for a regular -ar verb, drop the -ar just like in the preterite conjugation but this time we add the imperfect ending. Here's an example using caminar again:

Imperfect -er/-ir endings

Same deal with -er/-ir endings, just drop the infinitive ending and add the imperfect. Here's an example using comer again:

Irregular Imperfect Verbs

Luckily, there are only three verbs that are irregular in the imperfect past: ser, ver, and ir.

Irregular Imperfect Verbs

Some Verbs Change Meaning Depending on Tense

For some verbs, using it in the preterite versus the imperfect can create a slightly different meaning. Compare the translations of these sentences in the preterite versus in the imperfect:

Distinguishing Between Preterite and Imperfect

What you did vs What you were doing

The basic rule of thumb when it comes to figuring out which tense to use is that the preterite talks about things you did, and the imperfect talks about things you were doing at some point in time, or that you used to do. With some practice, this is fairly easy to remember. Consider these examples:

Toqué el piano - I played the piano (and I finished the action).

Yo tocaba el piano - I used to play the piano; or, you are saying that you were playing the piano when setting the scene for a story.

Me comí la manzana - I ate the apple. The action is complete.

Yo comía la manzana - I was eating the apple (when something else happened).

Yo leí el libro - I read the book (and now I'm done).

Yo leía el libro - I was reading the book (and the start and end times don't matter).

What happened vs The way things were

Another way to look at it is that the preterite is for talking about things that happened in the past, while the imperfect is for the way things were in the past. Using the same sentences:

Toqué el piano - I played the piano (yesterday, or that night, or whatever specific timeframe context provides)

Yo tocaba el piano - I used to play the piano at some point in the past, but I don't anymore.

Me comí la manzana - I ate the apple (yesterday night).

Yo comía manzanas - I used to eat apples (and maybe I don't anymore).

Yo leí el libro - I read the book.

Yo leía libros - I used to read books.

Use context clues

When reading or listening to Spanish, you can use context clues to figure out whether a verb phrase is in the preterite or imperfect tense. Certain temporal phrases are associated with either the preterite or the imperfect. You can also learn these phrases to help you express yourself better.

Phrases that hint toward the preterite:

ayer - yesterday

anoche - last night

después - afterward

durante dos semanas - for two weeks

el mes pasado - last monthel

otro día - the other day

en ese momento - at that moment

entonces - then

esta tarde - this afternoon

hace dos días - two days ago

Phrases that hint toward the Imperfect:

a menudo - often

a veces - sometimes

cada día - every day

muchas veces - many times

nunca - never

siempre - always

todos los días - every day

todo el tiempo - all the time

varias veces - several times

Mastering the Two Spanish Past Tenses

Practice make perfect

One of the most efficient ways to master any Spanish grammatical concept is to practice with another person who can give you feedback and constructive criticism. Story-telling is an excellent form of practicing verb tenses.

Try telling a story to your tutor or friend and having them correct you on your mistakes. Then, have them tell you a story in return, and pay attention to their choice of verb tense.

Another way you can get the hang of Spanish grammar is to watch your favorite TV shows and movies, but turn on Spanish subtitles. Pay attention to the sentences in English that are past tense, and make note of which verb tense they use in the Spanish subtitle.

Other media, such as Spanish-language movies or even videos like these can solidify your Spanish skills. Practice quizzes are also enormously helpful, such as this one.

Conclusion

Distinguishing between the preterite and the imperfect is one of the most challenging aspects of learning Spanish, and it's also one the most important. That being said, it's not impossible. With a little know how and a lot of practice you should be able to use both with no problems

Leave a comment if you have any questions about these two slightly tricky verb forms!

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To be honest, learning the differences between the two Spanish past tenses was ridiculously difficult for me, as I had lived my whole life speaking English, where verb tenses are not nearly as clearly defined. Today, I'll make it easier for you by explaining the differences that I learned as I was mastering Spanish verb tenses.

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This is a game.

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Spanish: Know Your Preterite vs. Imperfect

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Choose either preterite or imperfect based on the characteristics given

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Tammie Retherford

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Spanish Language & Culture | Preterite vs. Imperfect

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A variation of Ricitos #1. This time fill in the correct forms of the preterite or the imperfect. Great practice with lots of irregular verbs.

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This side had explanations along with useful phrases.
https://www.spanishdict.com/guide/preterite-vs-imperfect-in-spanish

Rachel Eisel

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I think that this serves as a handy tool when talking about the past.
http://studyspanish.com/grammar/lessons/pretimp4

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I usually post little quizzes and things to test knowledge, and I am going to continue my streak by doing so again. I really feel that fun quizzes help information sink in a little better, for me anyway. This also depends on the subject matter too, though. Anyway, I hope you guys can get some use out of this "Imperfect Tense Forms" quiz from SpanishDict!

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Learn about imperfect tense forms with fun practice quizzes.

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I found a link that has a podcast in-bedded in it that discuses the preterie. This was interesting to listen to as it was a conversation between the host and the guest using past tense. The podcast has examples of when to use the preterite and imperfect past tense.

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This week on the Real Fast Spanish Tips podcast we will be looking at another Spanish past tense.

This spanish past tense is called 'Pretérito Indefinido' or 'Pasado Indefinido'.

As well as introducing a new past tense, we introduce a new guest. The new guest on the podcast is a friend of mine from Barcelona, Maria Piñero.

As Maria is from Barcelona, it means she can speak Catalan as well as Spanish.

I want to keep things simple, so for starters, I'm going to avoid asking Maria to show us her Catalan. But if we have enough requests from the listeners we might preview some Catalan in an upcoming episode.

I'm excited to have another guest from Spain to help us develop our skills further. Maria has a lot tutoring experience in Spanish and provides a great opportunity for some more Spanish conversation practice.

Now, with introductions aside, we can start to look at today's discussion topic.

A few weeks ago we introduced the ' past imperfect' Spanish tense. In tip number 15 ' A Hack For The Past ', we introduced the 'present perfect' tense. Make sure you know these two tenses first. So if you need to do some revision head back before continuing on. If you are happy with those tenses then you can look at the 'Pretérito Indefinido' tense or Spanish past simple tense.

Unlike the 'past imperfect' tense, the past simple tense is used for describing events that have a defined beginning and end.

If an event happened last week and it represented a specific moment in time you will use the past simple tense. If the event happened repeatedly in the past and had no defined start and finish you use the past imperfect tense.

And sometimes you will need to use the two tenses in combination. We will look at a few cases of this in the podcast.

Examples from the episode:

The past simple conjugation of 'hablar':

I spoke - Yo hablé.

You spoke - Tú hablaste.

He spoke - Él habló.

We spoke - Nosotros hablamos.

You-all spoke - Vosotros hablasteis.

They spoke - Ellos hablaron.

The past simple conjugation of 'comer':

I ate - Yo comí.

You ate - Tú comiste.

He ate - Él comió.

We ate - Nosotros comimos.

You-all ate - Vosotros conisteis.

They ate - Ellos comieron.

The past simple conjugation of 'decir':

I said - Yo dije.

You said - Tú dijiste.

He said - Él dijo.

We said - Nosotros dijimos.

You-all said - Vosotros dijisteis.

They said - Ellos dijeron.

She told me that... - Me dijo que...

I told her that ... - Le dije que...

You told me.... - Me dijiste...

I met a guy and his name was Jose - Conocí un hombre y su nombre era Jose.

Last week, I was at the movies and the movie was very entertaining - La semana pasada estuve en el cine y la pelicula era muy entretenida.

Asian - Asiático.

Cinnamon - Canela.

You can get access to the Spanish podcast transcripts and english translations here.

Podcast: Play in new window

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Pretérito Indefinido - The Simple Spanish Past Tense

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This week on the Real Fast Spanish Tips podcast we will be looking at another Spanish past tense. This spanish past tense is called 'Pretérito Indefinido' or 'Pasado Indefinido'. As well as introducing a new past tense, we introduce a new guest. The new guest on the podcast is a friend of mine from Barcelona, Maria Piñero.

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This is a good video for really drilling the basics and when to use them!

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Spanish Past Tense: Preterite Vs. Imperfect, Rule of Thumb

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I like this website because it allows you to do interactive learning. Instead of just reading about how to conjugate the verbs and remembering the different endings this website allows you to take quizzes along the way to make sure that you are understanding the material as well as giving you flashcards to easily help you remember the different endings

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1. The written lesson is below.

2. Links to quizzes, tests, etc. are to the left.

Spanish has two past tenses: preterite and imperfect. Most verbs can be put into either tense, depending upon the meaning. In this lesson, you will learn to conjugate regular -ar verbs in the preterite and the imperfect. You will also learn the basic difference between the preterite and the imperfect, so that you can begin using them correctly.

To conjugate regular -ar verbs in the preterite, simply drop the ending (-ar) and add one of the following:

To conjugate regular -ar verbs in the imperfect, simply drop the ending (-ar) and add one of the following:

Compare the verb "hablar" conjugated in the preterite and the imperfect.

Generally speaking, the preterite is used for actions in the past that are seen as completed. Use of the preterite tense implies that the past action had a definite beginning and definite end.

Juan habló de la una hasta las dos.
Juan spoke from one until two o'clock.
(clearly stated beginning and end)

It is important to realize that the beginning and the end may not always be clearly stated.

Juan habló dos horas.
Juan spoke for two hours.
(implied beginning and end)

Juan habló con la estudiante.
Juan spoke with the student.
(implied beginning and end)

Generally speaking, the imperfect is used for actions in the past that are not seen as completed. Use of the imperfect tense implies that the past action did not have a definite beginning or a definite end.

Las chicas hablaban en inglés.

The girls used to speak in English.
(no definite beginning or end)

You have now learned the basic difference between the preterite and the imperfect:

The preterite tells us specifically when an action took place.

The imperfect tells us in general when an action took place.

Note: Although this difference may appear simple, this is actually a complex topic, and you will learn the finer points in later lessons.

Let's add two more flashcards, one for regular -ar preterite, and one for regular -ar imperfect:

Imperfect: regular -ar verbs
-ábamos
-abais

-aban
hablaba, hablabas, hablaba, hablábamos, hablabais, hablaban

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Preterite vs Imperfect: Part I - StudySpanish.com

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The written lesson is below. Links to quizzes, tests, etc. are to the left. Spanish has two past tenses: preterite and imperfect. Most verbs can be put into either tense, depending upon the meaning. In this lesson, you will learn to conjugate regular -ar verbs in the preterite and the imperfect.

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This site was quite fun because it told me right away whether I got the word wrong or not. I could learn faster and figure out how to use the tenses better.

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Cuando Kal-El ( fue, era) joven él ( vivió, vivía) en el planeta Krypton. Pero un día sus padres se ( despidieron, despedían) de él y lo ( pusieron, ponían) en una nave espacial para salvarlo de la explosión de Krypton. Después de un viaje largo, él ( llegó, llegaba) a un pueblo en Kansas donde Johnathan y Martha Kent lo ( encontraron, encontraban). Ellos le ( dieron, daban) el nombre nuevo de Clark Kent. Clark ( quiso, quería) mucho a sus padres adoptivos y siempre ( hizo, hacía) muchos quehaceres para ayudarlos en casa. Clark ( tuvo, tenía) un perro que se ( llamó, llamaba) Krypto y se ( divirtieron, divertían) juntos cada día. Un día Clark ( supo , sabía) la verdad sobre su doble identidad cuando sus padres le ( dijeron, decían) que ( fue , era) Superhombre! Clark ( pasó, pasaba) 10 años con su familia adoptiva en Kansas y entonces ( empezó, empezaba) a trabajar como reportero para el Daily Planet.

Los dos amigos nuevos de Clark Kent, Lois Lane y Jimmy Olsen, ( estuvieron, estaban) preocupados con frecuencia porque generalmente ellos no ( vieron, veían) a Clark Kent en la escena de un crimen o accidente importante. Un día por ejemplo, mientras Clark ( escribió, escribía) un artículo para el Daily Planet, él también ( escuchó, escuchaba) la radio. De repente él ( oyó, oía) algo terrible. ¡Una crisis en el aeropuerto! ¡Su enemigo, Lex Luther, ( fue, iba) a usar un avión con una bomba llena de ántrax y cólera para matar a millones de personas! Al oír esto, Clark Kent inmediatamente ( salió, salía) de su oficina, ( entró, entraba) en una cabina telefónica, y se ( puso , ponía) una capa roja. Entonces Superhombre se ( fue, iba) rápidamente por el cielo y ( destruyó, destruía) la bomba con su visión X--- ¡pero Lex Luther se ( escapó, escapaba) otra vez.

Hasta el próximo episodio...

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Spanish Language & Culture | Preterite vs. Imperfect | ¡Superhombre!

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Cuando Kal-El ( fue, era) joven él ( vivió, vivía) en el planeta Krypton. Pero un día sus padres se ( despidieron, despedían) de él y lo ( pusieron, ponían) en una nave espacial para salvarlo de la explosión de Krypton.

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I love her. This video was/is very helpful in trying to remember between the two. She gives a quiz at the end. :)

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SCHEDULE A SPANISH LESSON WITH ME NOW: http://bit.ly/SpanLessons BUY THE BOOK: http://bit.ly/SIYA-Amazon SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW ME ON: Twitter: http://bit.ly/SIYA-Twitter (@espanoles2amigo) Facebook: http://bit.ly/SIYA-Facebook Google +: http://bit.ly/SIYA-Gplus Pinterest: http://bit.ly/SIYA-Pinterest Visit my website: http://bit.ly/SIYA-Website Email me at spanishisyouramigo@gmail.com JOIN OUR SPANISH CHAT GROUP! It's free and you'll meet tons of new friends who are learning Spanish.

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I really liked this video and how the difference was shown between the preterit vs imperfect. If you are confused, this might help clarify.

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Preterit vs Imperfect (How to Distinguish)

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This one is fun because each answer is timed so you have to try to think fast. Also it reads the entire sentence back to you in Spanish so you can listen to it.

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learn basic spanish flashcards free flash cards card study sound school colors body preterite imperfect conditional present perfect future verbs subjunctive past tenses realidades vocabulary verbs verb tenses future futuro preterite preterit pretérito imperfect imperfecto conditional condicional present perfect presente perfecto subjunctive subjuntivo imperfect subjunctive professions profesiones weather clima ropa clothes telling time months meses días days week baño bathroom kitchen cocina body parts cuerpo partes furniture school office airport muebles escuela oficina aeropuerto time expressions chores adjectives expresiones quehaceres adjectivos ser estar saber conocer demonstrative adjectives tengo que ganas de acabo pronouns pronombres deber poder commands mandatos iba a reflexive reflexivos

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Free on-line Spanish flashcards with sound for learning basic vocabulary like foods, clothing, furniture, body parts, cooking, school, animals, transportation airport illness etc. includes quizzes

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Forming the imperfect is simple and this site shows you that. It also has audio recordings so you can hear what the examples sound like.

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The Spanish imperfect tense (o ) is used to describe past habitual actions or to talk about what someone was doing when they were interrupted by something else.

Regular Imperfect Forms

There are only two sets of endings for regular imperfect verbs in Spanish, one for -ar verbs and one for both -er and -ir verbs.

Check out the table of regular imperfect endings below.

Regular Imperfect Verb Endings

Irregular Imperfect Forms

There are only three verbs with irregular conjugations in the imperfect: , , and . Here they are!

Irregular Imperfect Conjugations

Uses of the Imperfect Tense

In general, the imperfect is used to talk about past actions, conditions, or events that occurred habitually or repeatedly or that were in progress at a point in the past. It is also used to tell time, talk about dates, give a person's age, and describe characteristics, conditions, and feelings in the past. Read on for more about these uses of the imperfect.

1. Habitual or Repeated Actions

Habitual or repeated actions are those that were done over and over in the past. These are often things a person used to or would do.

2. Actions that Were in Progress in the Past

It's quite common to see the imperfect used to talk about something that was happening when something else occurred. It's also used for actions that continued in the past for an unspecified period of time.

The imperfect is used to talk about times and dates in the past.

4. Age

The imperfect is commonly used to talk about age in the past.

5. Descriptions of Characteristics, Conditions, and Feelings

The imperfect is used to give descriptions in the past, especially those that set the scene in terms of the senses.

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Spanish Grammar Articles and Lessons | SpanishDict

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The Spanish imperfect tense (o ) is used to describe past habitual actions or to talk about what someone was doing when they were interrupted by something else. There are only two sets of endings for regular imperfect verbs in Spanish, one for -ar verbs and one for both -er and -ir verbs.

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I always like the SPAN411 site for their simple explanations and multiple examples.

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The Preterite Tense (also spelled "preterit") is one of two ways to talk about events that happened in the past in Spanish. The preterite tense is used to indicate a single, completed action that took place at a specific point in time. For example:

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This site goes over the basics of conjugating verbs in the preterit and lets you listen to the conjugations. The audio links open in the same page so it is useful to right click "open in a new tab" so you can read and listen at the same time.

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stem changing verbs, the third person singular and third person plural forms of the preterite undergo the same stem changing that takes place in the present tense. This isn't the case for-ar and -er stem changing verbs.

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A 10 minute video explaining the difference between preterit and imperfect

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02 Spanish Lesson - preterite vs imperfect (part 1)

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Another great song to help you learn the difference between preterit and imperfect.

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Preterite Vs Imperfect Song! (Cielito Lindo)

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This song will help you memorize the irregulars in the Spanish preterit. If you can sing "La cucaracha" this will be easy for you!

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02 Spanish Lesson - Preterite - Irregulars - Song!

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Have a look around the web to see what resources you can find for learning to use the preterit and imperfect in Spanish. Share your favorites here on this Padlet page. Tell us what you like about this particular resource and how it helps you learn. If you don't have a Padlet account the title of your post should be your name so we know who is posting.  (To add a post, double click anywhere on the screen)