Pretérito v. imperfecto
[newcomer]
Key Words
[words that trigger the preterite or imperfect tense]
Preterite triggers
ayer = yesterday
anteayer = the day before yesterday
anoche = last night
______________________________________________________un día = one day
una semana = one week
un mes = one month
un año = one year
______________________________________________________una vez = one time
______________________________________________________hace un día = one day ago
hace una semana = one week ago
hace un mes = one month ago
hace un año = one year ago
______________________________________________________de repente / de pronto = suddenly
finalmente / por fin = finally
imperfect triggers
usualmente = usually
frecuentemente = frequently
habitualmente = habitually
generalmente = generally
______________________________________________________
todos los días = every day
cada día / semana / mes / año = each or every day / week / month / year
______________________________________________________
había una vez = once upon a time
en aquella época = back in that time period
siempre = always
por lo general = generally
a menudo (mucho) = often / a lot
de vez en cuando = once in a while
por un rato = for a whlie
durante = during
When to use each tense
[in the absence of triggers / key words]
Preterite uses
When you are using simple past tense.
I learned Spanish v. I was learning Spanish
(PRETERITE) (IMPERFECT)I rode my bike v. I used to ride my bike
(PRETERITE) (IMPERFECT)I watched the show v. I used to watch the show
(PRETERITE) (IMPERFECT)If something actually happened.
I tripped and fell.
(something happened)She yelled.
(something happened)He said "OMG"
(something happened)If you can pinpoint roughly when it started and ended.
I went to Bratislava.
(back in 2009)I called my mom.
(earlier today)I walked to school.
(this morning)If you know how many times you did it.
I broke my leg.
(I know it happened once)I went to London twice that year.
(I know how many times I went)imperfect uses
When you want to say "used to" (repeated/habitual actions)
She used to walk to school.
(can't pinpoint when she started or stopped either)He used to say "tinky" instead of "stinky".
(can't pinpoint when she started or stopped either)When the subject "was / were ____ing something"
I was reading a book.
(ongoing action in past)We were learning something new.
(ongoing action in past)If it's background information (nothing is really happening) or if you can't pinpoint when it started or ended.
It was sunny.
(background/nothing happening)She was chubby as a child.
(can't pinpoint exactly when)It was a Saturday in March.
(background/nothing happening)Online practice
Practice on conjuguemos.com
Multiple choice practice on SpanishDict.com
Fill in the blank practice on Lingolia.com
Fill in the blank from class
Quizlet from class
o t h e r O P T I O N S
