The Preterite And The Imperfect

Question 1

Preterite and imperfect are not interchangeable

Answer 1

Depends on speakers point of view and context

Question 2

Preterite

Answer 2

1. Express completed actions

Question 3

Sandra se rompió la pierna (preterite

Answer 3

Sandra broke her leg

Question 4

Fueron a Buenos Aires ayer (preterite)

Answer 4

They went to Buenos Aires yesterday

Question 5

Preterite

Answer 5

2. Express the beginning or end of a past action

Question 6

Preterite

La película empezó a las nueve

Answer 6

The movie began at 9 o clock

Question 7

Preterite

Ayer terminé el proyecto para la clase de química

Answer 7

Yesterday I finished the project for chemistry class

Question 8

Preterite

Answer 8

3. Narrate a series of past actions or events

Question 9

Preterite

La doctors me miró los oídos, me hizo unas preguntas y escribió la receta

Answer 9

The doctor looked in my ears, asked me some questions, and wrote the prescriptions

Question 10

Trigger words for preterite because they indicate a specific point in time

Answer 10

Ayer 
Anteayer 
Una vez
Dos veces 
El año pasado 
De repente

Question 11

Imperfect uses

Answer 11

1. Describe an ongoing past actions with no reference to the beginning or end

Ex: Sandra esperaba al doctor - Sandra is waiting for the doctor

2. Express habitual past actions and events

Ex: cuando era joven, jugaba al tenis - when I was young, I used to play tennis

Question 12

Imperfect

Answer 12

3. Physical and emotional states or characteristics

Ex: la chica quería descansar. Se sentía mal y tenía dolor de cabeza

• the girl wanted to rest. She felt ill and had a headache