Imperfect vs preterite Flashcards
Use of imperfect
Actions (4)
Descriptions (3)
Actions in the past which:
1) with no clear beginning and end
2) refer to a time in general in the past
3) were repeated habitually
4) set the stage for another past tense event
Descriptions of the past which:
1) ‘set the scene’ or give background info e.g. time (use ‘eran’ except for la una), date, weather, location, context
2) mental or physical states (unless as part of chain of events; ones which changed)
3) a person’s characteristics: age, job, etc
___________
The speaker puts themself in the past, looking at the action as it unfolds, which is why we call the imperfect the “present in the past”.
[past—SPEAKER—past]
Use of preterite
Actions (6)
Descriptions (3)
Actions in the past which:
1) are single events
2) have beginnings and ends
3) took place on specific days or dates
4) took place at specific times or during specific time periods
5) were repeated a very specific number of times
6) are part of a chain of events in a sequence
Descriptions of the past which:
1) summarise a completed event
2) describe conditions or states that lasted for a specific period of time
3) changes in mental, emotional or physical states
__________
Completed actions (actions that have definite beginning and end points).
The speaker looks from the present to the action in the past:
[past] ← speaker
When and why would you use pret to describe a day?
e.g. Fue un día perfecto.
If the day is over and you are giving a summary assessment of how the day was.
When would you use imperfect to describe a day?
e.g. Era un día perfecto.
You would use the imperfect if this is the start of a description of the day or if it provides some background for what happened that day.
When would you use pret to describe how ill someone was?
e.g. “Ana estuvo enferma”.
If a particular time frame was mentioned or suggested
e.g. maybe a friend just asked where Anna was yesterday and you wanted to indicate that she was sick during the particular period of time mentioned (yesterday).
“Anna was sick (for a certain amount of time and is now better.)”
When would you use imperfect to describe how ill someone was?
e.g. “Ana estaba enferma”.
If you were simply describing how Anna’s health had been lately, without reference to any particular time frame.
“Anna was sick (but you’re not sure when or for how long).”
Why would you use imperfect of haber in this example:
Había mucha gente en la fiesta.
The imperfect is used to set the scene, describing who or what was present. The people at the party were simply present, so the imperfect is most appropriate.
Why would you use pret of haber in this example?
Hubo un accidente.
When haber is used in the preterite, it is often referring to an event that took place.
The preterite is used because the accident was something that occurred.
It was 10 in the morning when I went to the shop.
Eran las diez de la mañana cuando fui a la tienda
imperfect: time
It was a normal day and everything was quiet.
Era un día normal y todo estaba tranquilo.
imperfect: setting the scene
What tense would you use below for “to rain” and why?
However, it was raining a lot, so we turned on the windshield wipers.
Sin embargo, llovía un montón, entonces encendimos los limpiaparabrisas.
Imperfect: to talk about actions that set the stage for another past tense event. Also describes weather
Un montón: a lot
el parabrisas: windscreen
What tense would you use below for ‘left’ and why?
When we were leaving home, we realised the car didn’t have gas.
Cuando salíamos de casa nos dimos cuenta que el carro no tenía gasolina.
To talk about actions that set the stage for another past tense event.
What tense would you use for ‘wasn’t’ and why?
The gas station wasn’t very far away
La gasolinera no estaba muy legos.
Use imperfect for descriptions in the past
Pret or imperfect for the below, and why?
She was frightened
She saw the man and was frightened
Ella estaba asustada.
Imp used for general descriptions in the past
Vio al hombre y se asustó
Preterite to describe changes in state/emotion
Pret or imperfect for “I was lucky”, and why?
I was lucky every time we went to the casino. I always won!
Sets the scene and described habitual action.
Tenía suerte cada vez que íbamos al casino. ¡Siempre ganaba!
