Preterit Vs. Imperfect
description
Transcript of Preterit Vs. Imperfect
Preterit Vs. Imperfect
This is different than English because we consider past as
one tense.
Preterit Rules
Red Light
Preterit
• For Actions that can be viewed as single events
• Example: La gallina murió ayer.
Preterit• For actions that were
repeated a specific number of times.
• Example: La rana caminó a la tienda tres veces.
Preterit• For actions that
occurred during a specific period of time.
• Example: Yo estudié por diez minutos.
Preterit• For actions that
were part of a chain of events.
• Example: Yo asusté el alce americano y huyó.
Preterit• To state the
beginning or the end of an action.
• Example: Nosotros empezamos el partido de fútbol.
Imperfect Rules
Green Light
Imperfect• For actions that
were repeated habitually.
• Example: Yo iba al colegio todos los días.
Imperfect
• For actions that set the stage for other past actions.
• Example: Hacía calor por la playa.
Imperfect
• For telling time.
• Example: Eran las dos de la mañana.
Imperfect
• For stating one’s age
• Example: Yo tenía seis años.
Imperfect
• For mental states
• Example: El profesor estaba enojado.
Imperfect
• For physical sensations.
• Example: La estufa era calor.
Imperfect
• To describe the characteristics of people, things, or conditions.
• Example: La chica era muy fea.