Preterite vs. Imperfect ¡En Español!

Preterite vs. Imperfect When speaking about the past, you can use either the preterite or the imperfect, depending on the sentence and the meaning you wish to convey. Compare… Este fin de semana tomé una clase de cerámica. Cuando era niño, tomaba clases de escultura.

Preterite vs. Imperfect Use the preterite to tell about past actions that happened and are complete. El sábado, la clase empezó a las 10 de la mañana.

Preterite vs. Imperfect Use the imperfect to tell about habitual actions in the past. Cuando era niño, las clases empezaban a las 5 de la tarde.

Preterite vs. Imperfect Use the preterite to give a sequence of actions in the past. Cuando llegamos, la profesora sacó su pintura y sus pinceles y empezó a pintar.

Preterite vs. Imperfect Use the imperfect to give background details such as time, location, weather, mood, age, and physical and mental descriptions. Eran las dos de la tarde. Estábamos en el parque. Era un día de otoño. Todos estábamos muy contentos.

Preterite vs. Imperfect Use the preterite and the imperfect together when an action (preterite) interrupts another that is taking place in the past (imperfect). Estábamos en el taller cuando entró el profesor.

Preterite vs. Imperfect Use the imperfect when two or more actions ar etaking place simultaneously in the past. Mientras los niños pintaban, el profesor observaba las pinturas.

Recuerda: Preterit is BOSSI Began or ended action in the past One time action in the past Specific-time action in the past Sudden, distinct action Interupting an action already going on.

Recuerda: Imperfect is WATERLOADS Weather Location Age On-going action Telling Time Attitude Emotion Description Repeated Action Setting, background

Verbs That Change Meaning in the Preterite and the Imperfect

Verbs That Change in Meaning from Preterite to Imperfect Tenses A few Spanish verbs have different meanings in the imperfect and the preterite tenses: SABER CONOCER QUERER NO QUERER PODER NO PODER TENER

SABER Imperfect – “knew” ¿Sabías que el concierto empezaba tarde? Did you know that the concert began late? Preterite – “found out, learned” Sí, supe ayer que empezaba tarde. Yes, I found out that it began late.

CONOCER Imperfect – “knew (somebody)” Pedro conocía muy bien a esa actriz. Pedro knew that actress very well. Preterite – “met (somebody) for the first time” Luis la conoció el año pasado. Luis met her last year.

QUERER Imperfect – “wanted to” Luis quería comprar las entradas hoy. Luis wanted to buy the tickets today. Preterite – “tried to, attempted to” Yo quise comprarlas, pero me enfermé. I tried to buy them but I got sick.

NO QUERER Imperfect – “didn’t want to” No querían ver esa obra de teatro. They didn’t want to see that play. Preterite – “refused to” No quisieron ver esa obra de teatro. They refused to see that play.

PODER Imperfect – “was able to, could” Ella podía aprender la letra de la canción. She was able to learn the letter of the song. Preterite – “managed to, succeeded in” Ella pudo aprender la letra de esa canción. She succeeded in learning the letter of that song.

NO PODER Imperfect – not able to Preterite – cannot/ failed

TENER Imperfect- Used to have Juan tenía un coche nuevo. Juan used to have a new car. (no definite beginning or end) Preterit- received, had María tuvo una carta de su mamá. Maria received a letter from her mom. (completed action)