(RE) - Review of Preterite vs. Imperfect Lesson

Review of Preterite vs. Imperfect 

You should have already learned the preterite in the imperfect tenses in previous Spanish courses. These tenses are both used to describe the past tense. Unlike English, the Spanish language has two past tenses. Sometimes it may be tricky to decide which one is appropriate to use, but these explanations will help you understand how these verbs are actually very different!  

Preterite vs. Imperfect Tense chart. On the left side, The Preterite Tense is Used, to describe something that happened once. Cantó una canción en la clase de música. He sang a song in music class. Comí una manzana. I ate an apple. Me desperté tarde esta mañana. I woke up late this morning. To describe something that happened more than once but had a specific end. Fui a la casa de mi amigo la semana pasada. I went to my friend’s house last week. De niño, fui a la playa cada Verano. As a child, I went to the beach every summer. On the right side, The Imperfect Tense is Used, to describe habitual or repeated actions in the past. Siempre miraba películas los domingos. I always watched movies on Sundays. To describe a condition or state of being in the past. Había dos tiendas aquí. There used to be two stores here. To describe an action that occurred over an unspecified time. Hablámos en la cafeterá. We were talking in the cafeteria. To indicate time or age in the past. Tenía 16 años. She was 16 years old. Eran las ocho y media de la noche. It was 8:30 in the evening. To describe a person or place. Tenía el pelo corto y los ojos verdes. She had short hair and green eyes.

 

Vamos a Practicar Uno: ¿Es Pretérito o Imperfecto?

Please complete the following Preterite or Imperfect practice activity.

Vamos a Practicar Dos

Please complete the following activity.

Vamos a Practicar Tres

Please complete the following review activity comparing the Preterite and Imperfect.

 

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.