Imperfecto vs Pretérito Usage

The number of times of mental or emotional state, wants, wishes, desires

• Preterit

• Imperfect

The number of times of occurrence is vague

• Imperfecto

• Pretérito

Sudden change in mood or feelings (cause is known).

• Imperfecto

• Pretérito

The beginning or ending is very important to the speaker. (how it happened or ended)

• Imperfecto

• Pretérito

Completed past action(s)

• Imperfecto

• Pretérito

Trigger clue words: mientras (while), generalmente, frecuentemente, de vez en cuando (from time to time), muchas veces, siempre, cuando (when I was young, or child)

• Imperfecto

• Pretérito

describes ongoing background events in the past (that were interrupted by another action)

• Imperfecto

• Pretérito

Background information / Paints the background

• Imperfecto

• Pretérito

Habitual or routine actions

• Imperfecto

• Pretérito

Action occurs in a definite or stated time period. (Studied for 2 hrs)

• Imperfecto

• Pretérito