Preterite vs. Imperfect
What is the imperfect? Meaning Endings Used to do something Something was happening Endings aba, -abas, -aba, -ábamos, -aban ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -ían
What is the imperfect? Irregulars Ser era, eras, era, éramos, eran Ir iba, ibas, iba, íbamos, iban Ver veía, veías, veía, veíamos, veían
When do we use it? - WATERS Weather – Hacía sol . . . Age – Tenía cinco años . . . Time – Eran las dos de la tarde Emotions – Yo estaba muy triste. Repeated actions – Todos los lunes, escribíamos los diarios. Setting a scene – Era una noche muy oscura . . .
Clue Words: Imperfect siempre muchas veces a veces a menudo todos los… frecuentemente tener estar ser hacer(weather) saber querer
What is the preterite? Meaning Endings Did something in the past It’s done and over with Endings é, -aste, -ó, -amos, -aron í, -iste, -ió, -imos, -ieron
What is the preterite? Irregulars Stem-changers Double vowel Completely irregulars car/gar/zar u group i group j group
When do we use it? - SAFE Specific instance or number of instances/several instances. Le llamé tres veces. Él me llamó ayer. Action that interrupts ongoing events Yo caminaba y me caí. Focus on beginning or ending of action Ella terminó su tarea. Empezó a llover. Enclosed amount of time. Yo viví en Boston por tres años.
Clue Words: Preterite de repente ayer/anoche inmediatamente el___ pasado una vez llegar/salir por fin/finalmente empezar/terminar luego,entonces decidir nacer antes/después pedir venir oir/ver
Some verbs change meaning Preterite Imperfect Conocer Met Knew Saber Found out Querer Tried Wanted No querer Refused Didn’t want
To sum up: Preterite SAFE Done, over with Action in a story Imperfect WATERS Ongoing, repeated, Used to Background in a story
Which past tense would you use? Write P or I to indicate which past tense you would use in Spanish for the underlined word.
Which past tense would you use? My brother and I always read stories. My favorite legend was about a princess. The princess was named Frida. She was in love with Diego. Every day, Frida saw Diego from her window, he was always with his friends. IMP
Which past tense would you use? IMP PRET Frida knew that Diego’s friends were mean. Diego was going to ask her out. But, Diego’s friends took him to a party. 4. All night, Frida cried a lot. 5. She didn’t sleep well. 6. Diego left the party.
Which past tense would you use? PRET IMP Diego arrived at Frida’s house. Diego asked Frida to the movies. Frida said “yes.” They were very happy. They lived happily ever after.
El fin