Imperfect vs. Preterite. DescriptionAction Ongoing Repeated Completed/ Sequential Anticipated Preterit #Not Specified#Specified PreteritImperfect Verb.

Presentación del tema: "Imperfect vs. Preterite. DescriptionAction Ongoing Repeated Completed/ Sequential Anticipated Preterit #Not Specified#Specified PreteritImperfect Verb."— Transcripción de la presentación:

1 Imperfect vs. Preterite

2 DescriptionAction Ongoing Repeated Completed/ Sequential Anticipated Preterit #Not Specified#Specified PreteritImperfect Verb Imperfect

3 Phrases signaling the Imperfect A menudo ( often ) A veces ( sometimes ) Cada día ( every day ) Cada año ( every year ) De vez en cuando ( from time to time ) Generalmente ( usually ) Muchas veces ( many times ) Siempre ( always ) Todo el tiempo ( all the time ) Mientras ( while )

4 Uses of the Imperfect 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.

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

6 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.

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

8 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.

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

10 Phrases signaling the Preterit Ayer ( yesterday ) Anoche ( last night ) El otro día ( the other day ) Entonces ( then ) Esta mañana ( this morning ) La semana pasada ( last week ) El mes pasado ( last month ) El año pasado ( last year ) Hace dos días/años ( two days/years ago ) Ayer por la mañana ( yesterday morning )

11 Uses of the Preterit The preterit 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.

12 Uses of the Preterit The preterit 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.

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

14 Uses of the Preterite The preterit 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.

15 VerbMeaning Querertried to No querer to refuse Podermanaged to Saberto find out, realize Conocer to meet for the first time Pensarto 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) (AN EXCELLENT EXCUSE!) Tener que (Imperfecto) to have to do (action was not completed!) Hubo an event took place Changes in Verb Meaning (Preterit)

16 DescriptionAction Ongoing Repeated Completed/ Sequential Anticipated Preterit #Not Specified#Specified PreteritImperfect Verb Imperfect

17 5 reasons for the imperfect “Used to” / “Would” Was/were ”-ing” ( continuing past action ) Age/Weather/Time Physical/Mental/Emotional state of being Description/circumstances/setting the stage

18 3 reasons for the preterit Completed past action ( specific # of times ) An action that has an expressed beginning or end A series of completed past actions