1.2 Preterite vs. imperfect from flashcards

Front

ongoing action in past with no real reference to beginning or end

Back

imperfect

Front

action seen by speaker as completed (often implied) (ex - I bought my car at Baierl)

Back

preterite

Front

express the beginning or end of a past action

Back

preterite

Front

habitual action in the past with no real reference to beginning or end

Back

imperfect

Front

narrate a series of past actions or events

Back

preterite

Front

physical states / appearances/characteristics

Back

imperfect

Front

emotional states

Back

imperfect

Front

what was going on in the background when something else occurred

Back

imperfect

Front

action that interrupted an ongoing activity

Back

preterite

Front

background of a story (true or fiction)

Back

imperfect