Imperfect and Preterite Tense

Question 1

What are the Preterite/imperfect tenses used for?

Answer 1

Completed actions (definite beginning - definite end) (P)

E.g Catalina habló de la una hasta las tres (Catalina spoke from one to three)

Ongoing/regular actions in the past - not seen as completed (I)

E.g Los chicos hablaban Inglés (The boys used to speak English)

Question 2

How do they differ in use when writing stories?

Answer 2

ctions (P)

Set the scene - describe characters - places - situations (I)

Ximena salío de casa eran las diez de la mañana hacía un día estupendo

Se fui al parque y monté a caballo despues conoció a sus amigas

(Ximena left the house at ten in the morning towards a wonderful day

She went to the park and rode a horse after meeting her friends)

Question 3

How do they differ in use when talking about “Actions”?

Answer 3

One action/series of actions - take place when a different action was taking place (P)

Ongoing action (I)

E.g El teléfono sonó (P) - mientras canté (The telephone rang whilst I was singing)

Question 4

What does the verb “CONOCER” mean in the Preterite/Imperfect?

Answer 4

Met (P)

Knew (I)

Question 5

What does the verb “QUERER” mean in the Preterite/Imperfect?

Answer 5

Tried (P)

Wanted (I)

Question 6

What does the verb “NO QUERER” mean in the Preterite/Imperfect?

Answer 6

Refused (P)

Did not want (I)

Question 7

What does the verb “SABER” mean in the Preterite/Imperfect?

Answer 7

Found out (P)

Knew (I)

Question 8

What does the verb “PODER” mean in the Preterite/Imperfect?

Answer 8

Succeded (P)

Was able (I)