The Preterite versus The Imperfect.. THE PRETERITE Refers to an action completed in the past. Refers to an action completed in the past. Refers to events.

Presentación del tema: "The Preterite versus The Imperfect.. THE PRETERITE Refers to an action completed in the past. Refers to an action completed in the past. Refers to events."— Transcripción de la presentación:

1 The Preterite versus The Imperfect.

2 THE PRETERITE Refers to an action completed in the past. Refers to an action completed in the past. Refers to events that happened within a limited period of time. Refers to events that happened within a limited period of time. Its beginning or end is indicated. Its beginning or end is indicated.

3 Actions completed in the past. “ Julia se puso un vestido largo.” “ Cristina conoció a Marta en una fiesta.” “ Mario ordenó un burrito de camarones.” “ Carolina no limpió su habitación.” “ Marta fue a España.” “ Ustedes estudiaron español.”

4 Within a limited period of time. Within a limited period of time. “ Julia se puso un vestido largo el día de la ceremonia de graduación.” “Mario ordenó un burrito de camarones para la cena.” “ Marta fue a España en verano.” “ Ustedes estudiaron español el semestre pasado. ”

5 Beginning and/or end is indicated. “ Cristina conoció a Marta en una fiesta el año pasado.” “ Carolina no limpió su habitación ayer por la tarde.” “ Marta fue a España en 1999.” “Mario ordenó un burrito de camarones a las 4 de la madrugada.” “ Ustedes empezaron SPAN 101 en Septiembre y terminaron en Mayo.”

6 Some expressions conveying past time used with the preterite: La semana pasada, el mes pasado, el año pasado… La semana pasada, el mes pasado, el año pasado… Anoche, anteayer, ayer… La última/ primera vez que… En + specific date or time: En 1955… El 25 de Junio de 1989… Hace + time + que…

7 CSI Completed Action Specific Event It’s Over!

8 “Francisco Cardenas murió el año pasado.” “Francisco Cardenas murió el año pasado.” “Ayer comimos en la playa.” “Ayer comimos en la playa.” “ Me enamoré de Paco la primera vez que lo ví” “ Me enamoré de Paco la primera vez que lo ví” “Marcelino viajó a España en 1985.” “Marcelino viajó a España en 1985.” “Hace siete semanas que ustedes empezaron SPA 102.” “Hace siete semanas que ustedes empezaron SPA 102.” “ Yo nací el 21 de noviembre de 1980” “ Yo nací el 21 de noviembre de 1980”

9 THE IMPERFECT Used to describe continued, habitually or repeated actions in the past. Used to describe continued, habitually or repeated actions in the past. Refers to progressive actions in the past that were going on for an indefinite period of time. Refers to progressive actions in the past that were going on for an indefinite period of time. Provides background information such as: Provides background information such as:Time Physical descriptions WeatherFeelingsAgeLocations

10 PAWLA DATES ROB Physical traits- Attitude Weather Location Action in Progress Description- Age Time/Day/Date Emotions Simultaneous Events Repeated Action Ongoing Events Background Information

11 Continued, habitually or repeated actions in the past “Todos los sábados almorzábamos en Del Mar y después corríamos las olas. Más tarde, mi papá nos llevaba a las carreras de caballos y siempre apostábamos (bet) $ 2 al mismo caballo.”

12 Progressive actions/ indefinite period of time. Actions that were in progress at some focused point in the past. Actions that were in progress at some focused point in the past. Something was happening while something else was going on. Something was happening while something else was going on. Time is indefinite/non-specific period of time is given. Time is indefinite/non-specific period of time is given. Mientras esperábamos al tren, Jaime leía un libro, Oscar hablaba por teléfono, Amaral comía unos sándwiches y yo bebía un refresco de naranja.

13 Background information Time: “Eran alrededor de las 6 de la tarde y tenía mucha hambre.” “Eran alrededor de las 6 de la tarde y tenía mucha hambre.” Outward and Physical appearances: “Juanito era una persona muy elegante y vestía unos pantalones de rayas y una corbata con lunares.” “Juanito era una persona muy elegante y vestía unos pantalones de rayas y una corbata con lunares.” Weather, Location Hacía mucho calor. Nosotros estábamos en la biblioteca. Feelings, Beliefs, emotional states…: Los dos se sentían muy contentos y creían en el amor a primera vista Age: “ Cuando yo tenía 10 años iba al cine con mi hermano.”

14 The imperfect is equivalent to 4 English forms: “Yo trabajaba en Madrid…” “Yo trabajaba en Madrid…” A) I used to work in Madrid… B) I was working in Madrid… C) I worked in Madrid… D) I would work in Madrid... Note.-These are the possible translations for the Spanish sentence above. As it is out of context, not all the possibilities presented would fit in the translation. Note.-These are the possible translations for the Spanish sentence above. As it is out of context, not all the possibilities presented would fit in the translation. It is just a representative example to illustrate the many possibilities the imperfect has in English

15 Some expressions to use with the Imperfect. Todos los días, todas las mañanas, todas las tardes… Todos los días, todas las mañanas, todas las tardes… Cada semana, cada mes, cada año… Cada semana, cada mes, cada año… Siempre, nunca, a veces… Siempre, nunca, a veces… “Mi padre siempre preparaba las arepas los domingos.” “Cada domingo, mi mamá iba a misa.”

16 The Choice. The usage of the preterite and the imperfect indicates different ways of looking at past events. The choice between the two forms depends of what type of events or actions are being described or conveyed.

17 The Preterite It is used to describe a completed action or action as well as the outcome of an action or actions.It refers to completed events that were repeated during a specific period of time or at one given point in time. It is also used used when reference is made as to when an action began, ended, or both.

18 The imperfect Ignores the outcome of an action and implies continuation of an action or actions. It also gives background information. The imperfect is accompanied by the preterite in sentences which convey the ongoing of an action, event or condition when another one was happening: “Estaba en la ducha cuando llamaron por teléfono.”