Uses of the Imperfect & Preterite We use the imperfect to describe habitual or repeated events in the past. We use the preterite to describe a particular or specific event.

Uses of the Imperfect & Preterite There are certain words that can help us decide: The imperfect is often used with expressions like: Siempre Los sábados Todos los días A menudo **These all imply repetition Always On Saturdays Everyday Often

Uses of the Imperfect & Preterite The preterite is often used with expressions like: Una vez El sábado pasado Un día Esta mañana Anoche **These imply the event happened once Once, one time Last Saturday One day This morning Last night

Uses of the Imperfect & Preterite We say “used to” + verb a lot in English, to express something happened repeatedly in the past. With this, we’d use the imperfect. Ex: Carlos used to spend (pasar) the summer in Mexico. Carlos pasaba el verano en México. We used to play tennis. Jugábamos al tenis.

Uses of the pret. & imperf. The preterite is used to describe a well-defined action or event which happened at a specific point in time. The imperfect is used to describe ongoing actions or events. In English, we say “was (were) +…ing”.

Uses of the pret. & imperf. Examples: Cuando Carlos llamó… …yo estudiaba.

Uses of the pret. & imperf. Carmen llegó… …mientras nos desayunábamos.

Uses of the pret. & imperf. Anita sacó una foto… …de unos niños que jugaban al fútbol.

Preterite vs. Imperfect The preterite is used to describe actions in the past. El año pasado mi hermano visitó México. Vi una escuela grande. Vi la escuela muy bien.

Preterite vs. Imperfect The imperfect is used to describe specific circumstances: Time Era el diez de abril. Eran las ocho de la noche. Weather Hacía mal tiempo. Llovía.

Preterite vs. Imperfect Location Yo iba por la Avenida Libertad. Yo estaba en la escuela. Age El profesor tenía entre treinta y treinta y cinco años. Physical Appearance Era un hombre alto. Llevaba un súeter gris.

Preterite vs. Imperfect Emotional State Estaba nervioso. Attitude Él quería aprender español. Ella tenía ganas de conocer México.

Preterite vs. Imperfect Note the past tense forms of hay: Hubo una fiesta. There was a party. (specific action) Había muchas personas. There were many people. (circumstance)

Preterite vs. Imperfect When we speak in the past, it’s either a continuous or isolated action We use the to describe ongoing actions (actions/events that were in progress during a certain period of time) We use the to describe isolated actions (actions which occurred at a specific moment in time) imperfect preterite

Preterite vs. Imperfect Translate the following sentences: When I was a child, I didn’t speak Spanish. Last night, I spoke Spanish with Ramón. Julio had a CD player. Cuando era niño/a, no hablaba español. Anoche, yo hablé español con Ramón. Julio tenía un tocadiscos.

Preterite vs. Imperfect Julio sold his CD player. Anita was my best friend. Anita left to live in México. Julio vendió su tocadiscos. Anita era mi mejor amiga. Anita se fue a vivir en México.

Preterite vs. Imperfect In the summer we used to go to the beach. Yesterday we didn’t go to the beach. En el verano, íbamos a la playa. Ayer, no fuimos a la playa.

Preterite vs. Imperfect To Describe: Use: A specific action or event completed in the past. Yo visité Puerto Rico. Preterite

Preterite vs. Imperfect To Describe: Use: The circumstances of a past action or event Cuando tenía 16 años… Imperfect

Preterite vs. Imperfect To Describe: Use: An ongoing past action or event Mis primos vivía en San Juan entonces. Imperfect

Preterite vs. Imperfect To Describe: Use: A repeated past action or event Ellos me invitaban todos los veranos. Imperfect