Preterite versus Imperfect
The most important lecture you
will have this year
(so pay attention)
Back in the day before Disney
used computer animation, all
animated movies were hand
drawn using a technique
called “cel animation”
The bottom layer was the
background for the entire
scene. It was used over and
over because the background
didn’t change. Additional cells
for the actual “movement” of
the characters were handdrawn and painted. It was
those “movement” cells that
told the story.
What does this have to do with
verb conjugation?
The preterite
would be the
cells that showed
movement. The
preterite keeps
the story moving
forward.
The imperfect can
be thought of as
“the background”.
It doesn’t tell the
story but helps
support it.
Even though the Imperfect
and the Preterite are both
past tenses you will use
them for different reasons.
Let’s start with the imperfect,
p 16.
The imperfect describes past
actions in the process of
happening with no reference to
their beginning or end.
I was washing the dishes when
I heard the crash.
The imperfect is used to
express the way things used
to be.
When we were little, my
cousins and I used to sneak
cookies from Grandma’s
cookie jar.
Use the imperfect to
express time in the past.
It was 7:30 when I arrived at
the party.
The imperfect sets the stage
upon which other actions
take place (setting).
We were at the restaurant
when the babysitter called.
The imperfect refers to
repeated/habitual actions in
the past.
She danced every day.
The imperfect describes
physical/ emotional/ mental
conditions in the past.
She was excited when he
proposed.
The imperfect is used to tell
age in the past.
I was six years old when I had
my appendix removed.
The imperfect is used for
gossip, hearsay and rumors.
The people of the town said
that the big house at the end
of the street was haunted.
The imperfect is used to
express simultaneous actions.
We listened to the music
while we sang along.
While, or mientras in Spanish,
indicates a simultaneous action.
But we can’t forget
about the preterite!
page 15
The preterite is used to
express one time events.
What time did you call
last night?
The preterite is used to
express an interrupting action.
The action (preterite) will interrupt an
action in progress (imperfect).
Marcos was taking a shower
when the power went out.
When, or cuando in Spanish, is an
indicator of a preterite verb.
The preterite is used to
express a sequence of events.
He left the house, got in his
car and drove away.
The preterite is used to
express cause and effect.
When he saw the fire, he ran
inside and saved his
neighbor.
The preterite is used to refer
to the beginning or end.
The movie began at 7:00 sharp.
Four verbs are usually conjugated
in preterite tense:
empezar comenzar terminar cesar
The preterite is used when
there’s a specific time frame.
Last weekend we shopped
at the mall from open to
close.
The preterite is used when
there’s a sudden change of
events.
Suddenly, the acrobat fell to
the floor.
The preterite is used for the
verb that expresses a direct
quote.
“I want another piece of cake,”
she screamed / cried / yelled /
bellowed / whined / answered
/ stated.
Each tense has clue words
Preterite p. 17
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
ayer
anteayer
anoche
anteanoche
esta mañana
una vez
cuando
• de repente
• el/la _____
pasado/a
• mes
• hora
• semana
• fin de semana
• año
• siglo
Each tense has clue words
Imperfect p. 18
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
siempre
•
nunca
•
todos los días
•
cada día
de vez en cuando •
•
los domingos
todos los veranos •
•
was/were + -ING
cada semana
a menudo
generalmente
con frecuencia
frecuentemente
muchas veces
por lo general
mientras
cuando era niño
Try to translate:
When it was Cuando
hacía
_______(HACER)
cold, we
frío,
had soup
teníamos
____________
for dinner.
(TENER) sopa
para la cena.
John was very
sick
yesterday.
estuvo
Juan ________
(ESTAR) muy
enfermo ayer.
I used to read
every night
while I
listened to
music.
Leía (LEER)
______
todas las
noches
mientras
escuchaba
__________
(ESCUCHAR)
música.
Were you
doing your
homework
when I called
you?
Hacías
¿_______
(HACER) tu
tarea cuando
te ______
llamé
(LLAMAR)?
Action in progress = imperfect
Interrupting action = preterite
¿Comprendiste?
• Preterite and imperfect both indicate the
_____ tense.
• _________ is used with actions viewed as
completed.
• _________ is used for repeated actions.
• _________, which means “while”,
indicates _________ tense.
• “Ayer” is a clue word for _________ tense.
This is not easy! And there is
no shame in asking for help.
There is help available during both
lunches from ANY Spanish
teacher. Please makes
arrangements to come in if you
need to.