Imperfecto contra Pretérito Robert Allen

The endings for –AR verbs aba ábamos abas abais aba aban Ejemplo: yo hablaba-I was speaking, I used to speak, I would speak.

Endings for –ER/-IR verbs ía íamos ías íais ía ían Ejemplo: yo comía-I was eating, used to eat, I would eat.

Only 3 Irregular Verbs SER, IR, VER SER-era, eras, era, éramos, erais, eran IR-iba, ibas, iba, íbamos, ibais, iban VER-veía, veías, veía, veíamos, veíais, veían Ejemplo: yo era=I was, I used to be

Uses of the Imperfect Los niños estaban emocionados y contentos. The imperfect is used to describe: Emotions, mental states, physical states, appearance in the past: Los niños estaban emocionados y contentos. Julia era alta, tenía pelo largo, y estaba un poco gordita.

Uses of the Imperfect Era el 31 de octubre, hacía frío y llovía. The imperfect is used to describe background in the past, including time, weather: Era el 31 de octubre, hacía frío y llovía.

Uses of the Imperfect The imperfect is used to describe actions that “used to take place” or habitual actions: Cuando era niño, íbamos a recoger dulces el día de “Halloween” Siempre llegaba tarde a la escuela cuando vivía en Santa Cruz.

Uses of the Imperfect The imperfect is used to express simultaneous actions in progress: Mientras miraba la tele, mi hermano preparaba la cena.

Uses of the Imperfect The imperfect is used to express actions repeated an unspecified number of times: El verano pasado visitaba a mi abuela de vez en cuando.

Uses of the Imperfect The imperfect is used to express anticipated actions: Iba a estudiar para el examen, pero decidí mirar la tele.

Uses of the Preterite The preterite is used to express the beginning or the end of an action: Comencé a estudiar para el examen a las cuatro y terminé de estudiar a las ocho.

Uses of the Preterite Estudié anoche. The preterite is used to describe an action that was completed once or a specific number of times: Estudié anoche. Fui al cine tres veces la semana pasada.

Uses of the Preterite Me levanté, me bañé, y salí para la escuela. The preterite is used to describe actions completed in a sequence: Me levanté, me bañé, y salí para la escuela.

Uses of the Preterite The preterite is used to describe an activity or event that was completed, even if it took a long time to complete: Viví en España por tres años y estudié en el instituto por dos.

Uses of the Preterite The preterite is used to describe a sudden change in physical, psychological or emotional state: Me enfermé el sábado pasado y me deprimí mucho porque había un partido de fútbol americano. Para peor suerte, mi novia se enojó conmigo.

Changes in Verb Meaning (Preterite) Verb Meaning Querer tried to No querer to refuse Poder managed to Saber to find out, realize Conocer to meet for the first time Pensar to suddenly think Tener to receive (news, letter); to have an event (party, appointment, class, etc) Tener que (Pretérito) to have to do (action was completed) Tener que (Imperfecto) to have to do (action was not completed!) Hubo an event took place

Verb Description Action Repeated Completed/ Sequential Anticipated Ongoing Imperfect #Not Specified #Specified Preterite Imperfect Imperfect Preterite Imperfect