The preterite is used to talk about what happened in the past. It is mostly used for completed actions. There are two sets of endings for regular verbs: one for -ar verbs one for -er and -ir verbs
The imperfect is also used to talk about what happened in the past. Generally, it refers to descriptions or action seen without a specific beginning or end. There are two sets of endings for regular verbs: one for -ar verbs and one for -er and -ir verbs
I danced at the party. Yesterday I ate an apple. I used to play tennis. I was not feeling well. I did my homework yesterday. She was a very nice teacher. The next day, we drove to school. I always studied for the tests. WHAT? Preterite = completed actions Imperfect = descriptions/on going/vague Preterite Imperfect Preterite Imperfect Preterite Imperfect
Preterite = completed actions Imperfect = descriptions/on going/vague Which words would help you indicate the PRETERITE yesterday In the morning Once Last summer Tuesday Which words would help you indicate the IMPERFECT sometimes frequently Many times generally A lot WHAT?
To conjugate regular -ar verbs in the preterite, simply drop the -ar and add one of the following: Preterite Endings éamos aste óaron
camiar caminécaminamos caminaste caminócaminaron
To conjugate regular -er and -ir verbs in the preterite, simply drop the -er and -ir and add one of the following: íimos iste ióieron
comer ComíComimos Comiste Comiócomieron
salir salísalimos saliste saliósalieron
To conjugate regular -ar verbs in the imperfect, simply drop the ending -ar and add one of the following- abaábamos abas abaaban
bailababailábamos bailabas bailababailaban bailar
To conjugate regular -er and -ir verbs in the imperfect, simply drop the -er and -ir and add one of the following: íaíamos ías íaían
correr corríacorríamos corrías corríacorrían
salir salíasalíamos salías salíasalían
Yo bailé con mi novio a la fiesta. Ayer yo comí una manzana. Yo jugaba el tenís. Yo estaba enfermo. Yo trabajé en la granja ayer. El próximo día, conducíamos a la escuela. Siempre estudiaba. Traduce? Preterite = completed actions Imperfect = descriptions/on going/vague Preterite Imperfect Preterite Imperfect