PreteriteVs.

Imperfect

BEGINNING / END - PRETERITEHABITUAL OR REPEATED (USED TO/WOULD)- IMPERFECT

Ayer, fui al cine. Yesterday, I went to the

movies.

Todos los sábados, iba al cine.

Every Saturday, I went to the movies. (used to/would go)

COMPLETED - PRETERITE ONGOING - IMPERFECT

Juan comió dos enchiladas.

Juan ate 2 enchiladas.

Cuando yo entré, Juan comía dos enchiladas.

When I entered, Juan was eating 2 enchiladas.

Mientras Juan comía 2 enchiladas, yo jugaba a las cartas.

While Juan was eating 2 enchiladas, I was playing cards.

SERIES OF COMPLETED ACTIONS- PRETERITE

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND DESCRIPTIONS- IMPERFECT

En la fiesta anoche, bailamos, cantamos, y comimos.

At the party last night, we danced, sang, and ate.

Time – Eran las cinco. It was 5:00.

Location- Estaba en casa. He was at home.

Weather – Nevaba. It was snowing.

Age – Teníamos quince anos. We were 15 years old.

Phsysical Descriptions – Ella era alta y rubia.

She was tall and blonde.

Mental Characteristicas– Estaba triste y quería ir a casa..

He was sad and wanted to go home.

INTERRUPTING - PRETERITE INTERRUPTED - IMPERFECT

Yo practicaba cuando mama salió.

I was practicing when mom left.

Yo practicaba cuando mama salió.

I was practicing when mom

left.

Background Stage Setting - Imperfect

Action - Preterite

Eran las dos de la tarde, y hacía sol. Era junio y yo jugaba en mi cuarto, mi mama estaba en la cocina y mi padre trabajaba en el jardín. It was two in the afternoon, and it was sunny out. It was July and I was playingIn my room, my mom was in the kitchen and my father was working in the garden.

A las tres, mi abuelo vino. Trajo dos bolsas de ropa nueva. Yo abrí una de lasbolsas y vi un par de tenis muy lindo! Mi hermana abrió la otra bolsa y sacó un vestido nuevo rojo. Mi abuelo dijo, “Esta ropa es para el año escolar nuevo.”At three o’clock, my grandpa came. He brought 2 bags of new clothes. I openedone of the bags and saw a very pretty pair of sneakers. My sister opened the otherbag and took out a new red dress. My grandpa said, “This clothing of for your newschool year.

PRETERITE IMPERFECT

Saber – found out Conocer - met Querer – tried No querer - refused Poder – managed to No poder – failed to

Saber - knew Conocer - knew Querer – wanted No querer – did not want Poder – was able No poder – was not able,

could not

PRETERITE IMPERFECT

Ayer Anteayer Anoche Una vez / Dos veces, etc El martes(pasado), etc. El verano / La semana

pasado(a) De repente

Todos los días Todos los veranos, etc. Muchas veces/A veces Con frecuencia Siempre De niño/de joven Cuando era niño