Preterito vs. Imperfecto

Front

When you are describing something in the past, which tense do you use?

Back

Imperfect

Front

To talk about past actions that are complete, which tense do you use?

Back

Preterite

Front

When you are listing a sequence of events in the past, which tense(s) do you use? (Ex: I went to art class, I sat in my chair, and I painted a portrait.)

Back

Preterite

Front

Generalmente, mis padres (VISITAR) los museos los fines de semana.

Back

visitaban

Front

(SER) las dos de la tarde cuando ellos (LLEGAR) a la clase.

Back

eran, llegaron

Front

When one action is interrupted by another action in the past, which tense(s) do you use? (Ex: I was doing my homework when the power went out.)

Back

1st = imp; 2nd = pret

Front

Cuando yo (SER) joven, tenía muchos animales.

Back

era

Front

To talk about repeated actions in the past, which tense do you use?

Back

Imperfect

Front

Cuando era niña (TOMAR) clases de arte.

Back

tomaba

Front

Mientras el profesor (ENSEÑAR) los estudiantes (TOMAR) apuntes.

Back

enseñaba, tomaban