preterite vs imperfect reasons

1. Habitual or repeated actions

• preterite

• imperfect

1. Events or actions that were in progress

• preterite

• imperfect

1. Describes physical characteristics

• preterite

• imperfect

1. Describes mental or emotional states

• preterite

• imperfect

1. Telling time

• preterite

• imperfect

1. Age

• preterite

• imperfect

Uses specific words like: Una vez

• preterite

• imperfect

Uses specific words like: Muchas veces

• preterite

• imperfect

Un periodo de tiempo (action happened for a perid of time)

• preterite

• imperfect

El tiempo/clima (weather) 

• preterite

• imperfect