Pretérito vs Imperfecto

Front

The _____ talks about the habitual nature of an action.

Back

imperfect

Answer explanation

The imperfect tense is used to describe actions that are habitual or ongoing in the past, while the preterite tense indicates completed actions. Therefore, the correct answer is 'imperfect'.

Front

Use the _____ to talk about simultaneous events (with mientras)

Back

imperfect

Answer explanation

Use the imperfect tense to describe simultaneous events in Spanish, especially with 'mientras'. It indicates ongoing actions in the past, making it the correct choice for this context.

Front

Use the _____ to talk about the beginning or end of a past action.

Back

preterite

Answer explanation

The preterite tense is used to indicate the beginning or end of a past action, making it the correct choice here. The imperfect tense, on the other hand, describes ongoing or habitual actions in the past.

Front

Use the _____ to give background details (time, weather, age, characteristics).

Back

imperfect

Answer explanation

The imperfect tense is used to provide background details such as time, weather, age, and characteristics, while the preterite tense is used for completed actions. Therefore, the correct choice is 'imperfect'.

Front

Use the _____ to express an action that is viewed as completed.

Back

preterite

Answer explanation

The preterite tense is used to express actions that are viewed as completed in the past. In contrast, the imperfect tense describes ongoing or habitual actions. Therefore, the correct choice is the preterite.

Front

Use the _____ to narrate the actions.

Back

preterite

Answer explanation

The preterite tense is used to narrate completed actions in the past, making it the correct choice for this sentence. The imperfect tense describes ongoing or habitual actions, which is not suitable here.

Front

Use the _____ to express a series of completed actions.

Back

preterite

Answer explanation

The preterite tense is used to express a series of completed actions in the past. It indicates that these actions have a definite beginning and end, making it the correct choice for this context.

Front

He was living in Costa Rica. ____ en Costa Rica.

Back

Vivía

Answer explanation

La forma correcta es 'Vivía' porque se refiere a una acción continua en el pasado. 'Vivó' es incorrecta ya que es el pretérito, que indica una acción completada. Por lo tanto, 'Vivía en Costa Rica' es la opción adecuada.

Front

Yo limpiaba la casa cuando el teléfono sonó. Why imperfect (limpiaba) and then preterite (sonó)?

Back

Preterite interrupts the imperfect

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'limpiaba' (imperfect) describes an ongoing action, while 'sonó' (preterite) indicates a completed action that interrupts the ongoing activity. Thus, the preterite interrupts the imperfect.

Front

Which of the following is not a use of the imperfect? location, emotional state, age, definite end time

Back

definite end time

Answer explanation

The imperfect tense is used for ongoing actions, emotional states, age, and location. However, it does not indicate a definite end time, which is typically expressed using the preterite tense.