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Spanish: Preterite vs Imperfect

When to use pretérito vs imperfecto — rules, trigger phrases, and classic contrast examples.

12 cards· by GuruOwl

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  1. 01
    When do you generally use the Spanish preterite?
    For completed actions with a clear beginning/end in the past — single events, sequences, interruptions.
    preterite
  2. 02
    When do you generally use the Spanish imperfect?
    For ongoing/habitual past actions, background description, time/age/weather, mental/emotional states in progress.
    imperfect
  3. 03
    Which tense fits: “Ayer fui al mercado”?
    Preterite — a completed action yesterday.
    examples
  4. 04
    Which tense fits: “Cuando era niño, jugaba fútbol”?
    Imperfect — habitual action / ongoing state in the past.
    examples
  5. 05
    In a sentence with interruption, which tense is the interrupting action usually?
    Preterite interrupts imperfect background: “Leía cuando sonó el teléfono.”
    contrast
  6. 06
    List common preterite trigger words.
    ayer, anoche, el año pasado, de repente, una vez, en ese momento…
    triggers
  7. 07
    List common imperfect trigger words/phrases.
    siempre, todos los días, mientras, a menudo, de niño, generalmente…
    triggers
  8. 08
    Conjugate “hablar” in pretérito (yo/tú/él).
    hablé / hablaste / habló
    conjugation
  9. 09
    Conjugate “hablar” in imperfecto (yo/tú/él).
    hablaba / hablabas / hablaba
    conjugation
  10. 10
    Why is “era” often preferred over “fue” for describing people/places in background?
    Imperfect paints ongoing characteristics/setting; preterite presents a completed event or defined change.
    contrast
  11. 11
    Translate with correct aspect: “I used to study every night.”
    Estudiaba todas las noches. (imperfect for habit)
    examples
  12. 12
    Translate with correct aspect: “I studied last night.”
    Estudié anoche. (preterite for completed event)
    examples