Pretérito v. imperfecto
[expert-in-training]
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]
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