Preterite Vs Imperfect

Preterite Vs. Imperfect Introduction

The preterite tense and the imperfect tense are BOTH the past tense... but WHEN do you use which?!

Let's start with preterite review!

Are you confident with the preterite tense?! Let's see!

Multiple Select

The preterite tense is...

• a form of the present tense

• a form of the past tense

• The imperfect

• I have no idea

Multiple Choice

The "Yo" ENDINGS for a preterite tense regular -ar verb is...

(Ex: I talked = yo habl_)

• o

• é

• í

• ió

Multiple Choice

The "Yo" ENDINGS for a preterite tense regular -er verb is...

(Ex: I ate = yo com_)

• o

• é

• í

• ió

Multiple Choice

Which would be an answer to the question:

¿Adónde fuiste?

• Yo fuiste a Cuba.

• Yo fui ayer.

• Yo fui a Cuba.

• Yo fuiste ayer.

Okay, how about the imperfect tense?

This is our new tense!

Multiple Choice

The imperfect tense is...

• another form of the present tense

• another form of the past tense

• what we learned last semester

• I have no idea

Multiple Choice

The "Yo" ENDINGS for a imperfect tense regular -ar verb is...

(Ex: I used to talk = yo habl_)

• aba

• ía

• é

• o

Multiple Choice

The "Yo" ENDINGS for a imperfect tense regular -er verb is...

(Ex: I used to eat = yo com_)

• aba

• ía

• é

• o

Multiple Choice

Which would be an answer to the question: Cuándo eras un niño,

¿Qué jugabas?

• Yo jugabas fútbol.

• Yo jugaba fútbol.

• Yo jugía futból.

• Yo juego fútbol.

Are the following sentences in the Preterite or Imperfect tenses?

Look at the endings used.

Multiple Choice

Preterite or Imperfect:

Yo fui a la tienda.

• Preterite

• Imperfect

Multiple Choice

Preterite or Imperfect:

Yo bebí agua.

• Preterite

• Imperfect

Multiple Choice

Preterite or Imperfect:

Yo jugaba deportes mucho.

• Preterite

• Imperfect

Multiple Choice

Preterite or Imperfect:

Yo comía mucho arroz.

• Preterite

• Imperfect

Multiple Choice

Preterite or Imperfect:

Yo hablé con el profesor.

• Preterite

• Imperfect

So now... WHEN do you use WHICH?

Here are the most common times to use either preterite or imperfect....

Multiple Choice

Which of the following would be an example of a "COMPLETED/specific action": (Preterite Tense)

• Yesterday, I ate a lot of food.

• I used to eat a lot of food as a kid.

• I was eating food when someone entered.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following would be an example of a "Progressive -INGs": (Imperfect Tense)

• Yesterday, I ate a lot of food.

• I used to eat a lot of food as a kid.

• I was eating food when someone entered.

Check this again....

Think of it this way...

PRETERITE = SPECIFIC / ONE TIME / COMPLETED

IMPERFECT = NOT SPECIFIC / FREQUENT (used to)/ ONGOING

Multiple Choice

Would the following sentence be considered Preterite or Imperfect in Spanish?: The other day I went to the store.

• Preterite

• Imperfect

Multiple Choice

Would the following sentence be considered Preterite or Imperfect in Spanish?: When I was a kid, I played outside a lot.

• Preterite

• Imperfect

Multiple Choice

Would the following sentence be considered Preterite or Imperfect in Spanish?: It was a dark and stormy night...

• Preterite

• Imperfect

Multiple Choice

Would the following sentence be considered Preterite or Imperfect in Spanish?: Last weekend I traveled to Mexico.

• Preterite

• Imperfect

Multiple Choice

Would the following sentence be considered Preterite or Imperfect in Spanish?: I was going to go to Mexico.

• Preterite

• Imperfect

Multiple Choice

Would the following sentence be considered Preterite or Imperfect in Spanish?: First, I studied for Algebra. Then, I studied for English.

• Preterite

• Imperfect

Multiple Choice

Translate: I used to drink juice a lot.

• Yo bebía jugo mucho.

• Yo bebí jugo mucho.

Multiple Choice

Translate: Yesterday, I saw my friend.

• Ayer, yo veía a mi amigo.

• Ayer, yo vi a mi amigo.

Multiple Choice

Translate: I was going to go to Mexico.

• Iba a ir a Mexico.

• Fui a ir a Mexico.

Multiple Choice

Translate: She was very tall.

• Ella era muy alta.

• Ella fue muy alta.

Multiple Choice

Translate: I traveled to Cuba last year.

• Yo viajaba a Cuba el año pasado.

• Yo viajé a Cuba el año pasado.

Poll

How are we feeling about preterite and imperfect?

• I feel like I understand the conjugations and differences!

• I feel like, with more practice, I'll be able to understand it.

• I'm a bit confused, but am kind of understanding it.

• I'm going to need A LOT more practice.

• I have no idea what is going on....