Preterite v. Imperfect

Preterite A verb tense in which actions are done and over – never to be repeated. Once the action is done, it is not to be repeated!

Preterite examples Yo estudié por el examen en historia.-I studied for the history test. Nosotros vimos a 311 el año pasado.-We saw 311 last year. Ellos dieron las presentaciónes ayer.-They gave the presentations yesterday. Tú hablaste con el presidente anteayer.-You spoke with the president the day before yesterday. Ella se cepilló el pelo anoche.-She brushed her hair last night.

Imperfect A verb tense to describe events which happen in the past that deal with PWATER.

Imperfect - P P = physical descriptions or attributes Ella era alta y él era bajo.-She was tall and he was short. Yo era bonita y joven.-I was pretty and young. Tú eras gordito.-You were a little fat.

Imperfect - W Hacía sol ayer.-It was sunny yesterday. W= weather Hacía sol ayer.-It was sunny yesterday. Llovía mucho en abril.-It rained a lot in April. No nevaba en noviembre mucho.-It didn’t snow much in November.

Imperfect - A A = age (chronological) Ellos tenían siete años el año pasado.-They were 7 years old last year. Yo tenía diez años cuando yo compré mi propia bicicleta.-I was 10 years old when I bought my own bike. Nosotros teníamos un año cuando nosotros tomamos lecciónes de natación.-We were one year old when we took swimming lessons.

Imperfect - T Era a la una anoche.-It was at 1:00 last night. T = time (numbers) Era a la una anoche.-It was at 1:00 last night. Eran las siete de la mañana.-It was 7:00 a.m. Eran las dos menos tres de la tarde.-It was 1:57 p.m.

Imperfect - E Yo estaba contento.-I was happy. E = emotions Yo estaba contento.-I was happy. Ellos estaban enojados.-They were angry. Tú estabas preocupado anoche.-You were worried last night.

Imperfect - R R= reoccurring actions / repeating actions/ actions interrupted Él asistía a la escuela todos los días.-He attended school everyday. Yo comía al mediodía cada almuerzo.-I ate at noon each lunch. Yo lavaba los platos cuando tú me llamaste por teléfono.-I was washing the dishes when you called me.

Imperfect todos los días todas las noches todos los meses.. años There are words usually associated with the imperfect. (look up what they mean in English.) todos los días todas las noches todos los meses.. años siempre generalmente nunca de vez en cuando mientras de niño(a) de joven

Preterite ayer anteayer el mes pasado el día pasado una vez de repente There are words usually associated with the preterite. However, make sure PWATER is not “in play.” (Look up what they mean in English.) ayer anteayer el mes pasado el día pasado una vez de repente anoche

Preterite or imperfect? Used to describe people? To tell time? Incomplete or interrupted action? Completed action? Repeated or habitual acts? Was –ing action? Describing an emotion?

Infinitives that change meanings Saber present – Yo sé. I know (the fact). preterite – Yo supe. I found out (the fact). imperfect – Yo sabía. I knew (the fact).

Infinitives that change meanings Querer present – Yo quiero. I want... preterite – Yo quise. I tried…/Yo no quise.-I refused. imperfect – Yo quería. I wanted…

Infinitives that change meanings conocer present – Yo conozco. I know (the person). preterite – Yo conocí. I met (the person). imperfect – Yo conocía. I knew (the person).

Infinitives that change meanings poder present – Yo puedo. I can... preterite – Yo pude. I managed… imperfect – Yo podía. I had the ability to…

Infinitives that change meanings Tener Present- Yo tengo. I have… Preterite-Yo tuve. I have planned/gave/had Imperfect-Yo tenía. I had (on going; no beginning or end)…

Infinitives that change meanings Tener que Present-Yo tengo que… I have to … Preterite-Yo tuve que… I have had to … Imperfect-Yo tenía que… I was suppose to… (no end result implied, maybe did or didn’t)

Infinitives that change meanings Deber Present-Yo debo. I ought to/should… Preterite-Yo debí. I have had to… Imperfect-Yo debía. I was suppose to… (no end result implied, maybe did or didn’t)

Infinitives that change meanings Pensar Present-Yo pienso. I think/plan Preterite-Yo pensé. I thought (idea bubble) Imperfect-Yo pensaba. I have thought (ongoing opinion, no beginning or end implied)