Uses

Test yourself

Uses of the Preterite Tense

A finished one-time action

Fernando compró un nuevo coche.
- Fernando bought a new car.
Nací en Inglaterra.
- I was born in England.

‘Ayer, la semana pasada, hace un año’

España ganó la Copa del Mundo en 2010.
- Spain won the world cup in 2010.
Henry nació el cinco de julio.
- Henry was born on the 5th of July.

A finished period of time

Vivieron en Australia por seis meses.
- They lived in Australia for six months.
Leí este libro el año pasado.
- I read this book last year.

Events in order, a sequence of actions

Me vestí y salí a dar una vuelta.
- I got dressed and went for a walk.
Entró, bebió una cerveza y comió un pedazo de pan.
- He came in, drank a beer and ate a piece of bread.

Past events in a story

Llegó a la playa y puso su toalla en la arena.
- She arrived at the beach and put her towel on the sand.

Start and end of events

Empezó a llover.
- It began to rain.
El libro terminó con un final cómico.
- The book ended with a comic end.

Uses of the Imperfect Tense

Non-specific time

When the time period is not clear, and the action isn't finished you need to use the imperfect.
En esos años Theo vivía en un pequeño apartamento.
- In those days Theo was living in a small apartment.

Repetitive actions in the past

Todos los días comía una naranja.
- Every day I ate an orange.
Almorzábamos todos los sábados.
- We used to eat lunch every Saturday.

Description

When describing people, objects and events in the past, you must use the imperfect.
La casa era grande.
- The house was big.
Mi amiga era alta.
- My friend was tall.
Aquel día hacía frío.
- It was cold that day.

Continuous actions that were going on when something else happened

Comían cuando llegó su abuelo.
- They were eating when their grandad arrived.
Mi madre cocinaba cuando salí de la casa.
- My mum was cooking when I left the house.

Age, Time

Mi hermana tenía veintiún años.
- My sister was 21 years old.
Eran las cinco de la tarde.
- It was five in the afternoon.
Era el 12 de enero.
- It was the 12th of January.

Choosing Between the Preterite and the Imperfect

The following rules will help you when trying to decide between using the preterite or the imperfect.

Single actions vs repeated actions

The preterite is used to express single actions in the past.
- Ayer, llegué tarde al trabajo.
  - Yesterday, I was late for work.
The imperfect is used to show repeated actions.
- Llegaba tarde al trabajo a menudo.
  - I was often late for work.

Completed actions vs in progress

We use the preterite when we refer to the action as a completed event even if it was a continuous or repetitive action:
- Aquella profesora solo enseñó biología el año pasado, pero nunca más.
  - That teacher only taught biology last year, but not anymore.
When we refer to the action when it was in progress, and not as a finished completed event, we use the imperfect:
- Aquella profesora enseñaba biología cuando yo aprobé el test.
  - That teacher was teaching biology when I passed the test.

Exception vs normality

The preterite is used to express that an action is unique or an exception.
The imperfect is used to express that an action is normal.
- Ella amaba jugar al fútbol pero aquel día odió el fútbol.
  - She loved to play football but that day she hated it.

Actions happening at the same time

When two actions are taking place simultaneously, the imperfect is used for both ongoing actions.
- Mi madre cocinaba cuando yo estudiaba.
  - My mum was cooking when I was studying.

Choosing Between the Preterite and the Imperfect

The following rules will help you when trying to decide between using the preterite or the imperfect:

Single actions vs repeated actions

The preterite is used to express single actions in the past.
- Ayer, llegué tarde al trabajo.
  - Yesterday, I was late for work.
The imperfect is used to show repeated actions.
- Llegaba tarde al trabajo a menudo.
  - I was late for work often.

Completed actions vs in progress

You use the preterite when the action is completed.
- Aquella profesora sólo enseñó biología el trimestre pasado.
  - That teacher only taught biology last term.
When an action is still in progress you use the imperfect.
- Aquella profesora enseñaba biología.
  - That teacher taught biology.

Exception vs normality

The preterite is used to express that an action is unique or an exception.
The imperfect is used to express that an action is normal.
- Ella amaba jugar al fútbol pero aquel día odió el fútbol.
  - She loved to play football but that day she hated it.

Actions happening simultaneously

When two actions are taking place simultaneously, the preterite is used for the main action and the imperfect is used for ongoing actions.
- Mi madre cocinaba cuando salí de la casa.
  - My mum was cooking when I left the house.

1The Basics

1.1Pronouns

1.1.1Personal Pronouns

1.2Verbs

1.2.13 Types of Verbs

1.2.2The Infinitive

1.3Nouns

1.3.1Nouns Endings - 'O', 'A', 'OS' and 'AS'

1.3.2Other Noun Endings

1.4Adjectives

1.4.1Gender

1.4.2Position of Adjectives

1.5Abbreviations

1.5.1Common Abbreviations

1.6Time

1.6.1Time Expressions

1.6.2Time Expressions 2

1.6.3The Seasons

1.6.4Telling the Time

2Current & Future Study & Employment

2.1School & Subjects

2.1.1A Good Student

2.1.2My Studies

2.1.3Life At School

2.1.4Some Common Conjunctions

2.1.5Subjects

2.1.6Future Study

2.1.7School Routine

2.1.8Exam-Style Questions - Schools

2.2School & Subjects - Translations

2.2.1School - Spanish to English

2.2.2School - English to Spanish

2.2.3School - Translations

2.2.4Subjects - Spanish to English

2.2.5Subjects - English to Spanish

2.2.6Subjects - Translations

2.2.7School Routine - Spanish to English

2.2.8School Routine - English to Spanish

2.2.9School Routine- Translations

2.3Education Post - 16

2.3.1To Go or Not To Go to University?

2.3.2University

2.3.3Regular AR Verbs

2.3.4'Ir'

2.3.5Work

2.3.6Ideal Job

2.3.7Regular ER Verbs

2.3.8Exam-Style Questions - Ideal Job

2.4Education Post - 16 - Translations

2.4.1University - Spanish to English

2.4.2University - English to Spanish

2.4.3University - Translations

2.4.4Jobs & Careers - Spanish to English

2.4.5Jobs & Careers - English to Spanish

2.4.6Jobs & Careers - Translations

3Identity & Culture

3.1Me, My Family & Friends

3.1.1Greetings

3.1.2Age & Name

3.1.3Physical Appearance

3.1.4Friends

3.1.5Personality

3.1.6Whose Father? Whose Parents?

3.1.7Family Members

3.1.8Other Family Members

3.1.9Describing Family

3.1.10Describing People

3.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Describing People

3.1.12Exam-Style Questions - Family

3.1.13Relationships

3.1.14Exam-Style Questions - Relationships

3.1.15Tener

3.1.16Ser

3.2Me, My Family & Friends - Translations

3.2.1Greetings - Spanish to English

3.2.2Greetings - English to Spanish

3.2.3Greetings - Translations

3.2.4Age & Name - Spanish to English

3.2.5Age & Name - English to Spanish

3.2.6Age & Name - Translations

3.2.7Describing Yourself - Spanish to English

3.2.8Describing Yourself - English to Spanish

3.2.9Describing Yourself - Translations

3.2.10Friends - English to Spanish

3.2.11Friends - Spanish to English

3.2.12Friends - Translations

3.2.13Personality - Spanish to English

3.2.14Personality - English to Spanish

3.2.15Personality - Translations

3.2.16Family - Spanish to English

3.2.17Family - English to Spanish

3.2.18Family - Translations

3.2.19Describing Family - Spanish to English

3.2.20Describing Family - English to Spanish

3.2.21Describing Family - Translations

3.2.22Relationships - Spanish to English

3.2.23Relationships - English to Spanish

3.2.24Relationships - Translations

3.3Technology in Everyday Life

3.3.1Social Media

3.3.2Social Media 2

3.3.3Positives & Negatives of Social Media

3.3.4Mobile Technology

3.3.5'Para' or 'Por'

3.4Technology in Everyday Life - Translations

3.4.1Social Media - Spanish to English

3.4.2Social Media - English to Spanish

3.4.3Social Media - Translations

3.4.4Mobile Technology - Spanish to English

3.4.5Mobile Technology - English to Spanish

3.4.6Mobile Technology - Translations

3.5Free Time Activities

3.5.1Regular ER Verbs in the Imperfect

3.5.2Music

3.5.3Cinema & TV

3.5.4Exam-Style Questions - Cinema

3.5.5Food

3.5.6Meat & Fish

3.5.7Fruit & Veg

3.5.8Drinks & Snacks

3.5.9Eating Out

3.5.10Sport

3.5.11Fashion

3.5.12Exam-Style Questions - Fashion

3.6Free Time Activities - Translations

3.6.1Music - Spanish to English

3.6.2Music - English to Spanish

3.6.3Music - Translations

3.6.4Cinema & TV - Spanish to English

3.6.5Cinema & TV - English to Spanish

3.6.6Cinema & TV - Translations

3.6.7Food - Spanish to English

3.6.8Food - English to Spanish

3.6.9Food - Translations

3.6.10Meat & Fish - Spanish to English

3.6.11Meat & Fish - English to Spanish

3.6.12Meat & Fish - Translations

3.6.13Fruit & Veg - Spanish to English

3.6.14Fruit & Veg - English to Spanish

3.6.15Fruit & Veg - Translations

3.6.16Drinks & Snacks - Spanish to English

3.6.17Drinks & Snacks - English to Spanish

3.6.18Drinks & Snacks - Translations

3.6.19Eating Out - Spanish to English

3.6.20Eating Out - English to Spanish

3.6.21Eating Out - Translations

3.6.22Sport - Spanish to English

3.6.23Sport- English to Spanish

3.6.24Sport - Translations

3.6.25Fashion - Spanish to English

3.6.26Fashion - English to Spanish

3.6.27Fashion - Translations

3.7Customs & Festivals in Spanish Speaking Countries

3.7.1Customs & Festivals

3.7.2Exam-Style Questions - Festivals

3.7.3-ER and -IR Verbs

3.8Customs & Festivals - Translations

3.8.1Festivals Vocab - Spanish to English

3.8.2Festivals Vocab - English to Spanish

3.8.3Festivals - Translations

4Areas of Interest

4.1Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region

4.1.1Home

4.1.2Near Your Home

4.1.3Shops

4.1.4Places in Town

4.1.5Town & Region

4.1.6Directions

4.1.7Exam-Style Questions - Directions

4.2Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region - Translations

4.2.1Home - Spanish to English

4.2.2Home - English to Spanish

4.2.3Home - Translations

4.2.4Near Your Home - Spanish to English

4.2.5Near Your Home - English to Spanish

4.2.6Near Your Home - Translations

4.2.7Shops - Spanish to English

4.2.8Shops - English to Spanish

4.2.9Shops - Translations

4.2.10Places in Town - Spanish to English

4.2.11Places in Town - English to Spanish

4.2.12Places in Town - Translations

4.2.13Region & Directions - English to Spanish

4.2.14Region & Directions - Spanish to English

4.2.15Region & Directions - Translations

4.3Social Issues

4.3.1Charity Work

4.3.2Charity Work 2

4.3.3The Body

4.3.4Illness

4.3.5Recovery

4.3.6Exam-Style Questions - Illness

4.3.7A Healthy Life

4.3.8An Unhealthy Life

4.3.9Asking Questions

4.4Social Issues - Translations

4.4.1Charity - English to Spanish

4.4.2Charity - Spanish to English

4.4.3Charity - Translations

4.4.4Body & Illness - Spanish to English

4.4.5Body & Illness - English to Spanish

4.4.6Body & Illness - Translations

4.4.7Healthy Life - Spanish to English

4.4.8Healthy Life - English to Spanish

4.4.9A Healthy Life - Translations

4.5Global Issues

4.5.1The Environment

4.5.2Exam-Style Questions - Environment

4.5.3Poverty & Homelessness

4.6Global Issues - Translations

4.6.1Environment - Spanish to English

4.6.2Environment - English to Spanish

4.6.3Environment - Translations

4.6.4Poverty - Spanish to English

4.6.5Poverty - English to Spanish

4.6.6Poverty - Translations

4.7Travel & Tourism

4.7.1Holidays

4.7.2Holidays - Past Tense

4.7.3What Did You Do on Holiday?

4.7.4Exam-Style Questions - Holidays

4.7.5Making a Reservation

4.7.6Accommodation

4.7.7Tourism

4.7.8Good Weather

4.7.9Bad Weather

4.7.10Weather - Conditional Tense

4.7.11Exam-Style Questions - Weather

4.8Travel & Tourism - Translations

4.8.1Holidays - Spanish to English

4.8.2Holidays - English to Spanish

4.8.3Holidays - Translations

4.8.4Booking - Spanish to English

4.8.5Booking - English to Spanish

4.8.6Booking - Translations

4.8.7Tourism - Spanish to English

4.8.8Tourism - English to Spanish

4.8.9Tourism - Translations

4.8.10Weather - Spanish to English

4.8.11Weather - English to Spanish

4.8.12Weather - Translations

5Listening Practice

5.1Me, My Family & Friends - Listening

5.1.1Family & Friends - Listening (All)

5.1.2Family & Friends - Listening (Higher)

5.1.3Marriage & Partnerships - Listening (All)

5.1.4Marriage & Partnerships - Listening (Higher)

5.2Technology in Everyday Life - Listening

5.2.1Social Media - Listening (All)

5.2.2Social Media - Listening (Higher)

5.2.3Mobile Technology - Listening (All)

5.2.4Mobile Technology - Listening (Higher)

5.2.5Exam-Style Questions - Technology Addict

5.3Free-Time - Listening

5.3.1Music - Listening (All)

5.3.2Music - Listening (Higher)

5.3.3Cinema & TV - Listening (All)

5.3.4Cinema & TV - Listening (Higher)

5.3.5Food & Eating Out - Listening (All)

5.3.6Food & Eating Out - Listening (Higher)

5.3.7Sport - Listening (All)

5.3.8Sport - Listening (Higher)

5.3.9Exam-Style Questions - Sport

5.4Customs & Festivals - Listening

5.4.1Day of the Dead - Listening (All)

5.5Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region - Listening

5.5.1My Neighbourhood - Listening

5.6Social Issues - Listening

5.6.1Charity & Voluntary Work

5.6.2Healthy & Unhealthy Living

5.6.3The Environment

5.6.4Exam-Style Questions - The Environment

5.6.5Poverty & Homelessness

5.7Travel & Tourism - Listening

5.7.1Tourism

5.8Education - Listening

5.8.1Life at School

5.8.2Education Post-16

5.8.3Jobs, Careers, & Ambition

6Common Tenses

6.1Present Tense

6.1.1Regular AR Verbs

6.1.25 Common AR Verbs

6.1.3Negative Verbs

6.1.4Irregular AR Verbs

6.1.5Irregular AR Verbs - Exceptions

6.1.6Regular ER Verbs

6.1.75 Common ER Verbs

6.1.8Irregular ER Verbs

6.1.9Irregular ER Verbs - First Person Stem Changes

6.1.10Regular IR Verbs

6.1.115 Common IR Verbs

6.1.12Irregular IR Verbs

6.1.13Irregular IR Verbs - Adding an Accent

6.1.14Irregular IR Verbs - Exceptions

6.1.15Irregular IR Verbs - 'Ir'

6.1.16Irregular IR Verbs - Verbs Ending in '-uir'

6.1.17Verb Phrases

6.1.18The Use of 'Se'

6.2Preterite Tense

6.2.1Regular AR Verbs

6.2.2Irregular AR Verbs

6.2.3Irregular AR Verbs 2

6.2.4Regular ER Verbs

6.2.5Irregular ER Verbs

6.2.6Irregular ER Verbs - Ver & Tener

6.2.7Irregular ER Verbs 2

6.2.8Regular IR Verbs

6.2.9Irregular IR Verbs - Preterite

6.2.10Irregular IR Verbs - Decir, Venir & Ir

6.2.11Irregular IR Verbs 3

6.3Imperfect Tense

6.3.1Regular Verbs

6.3.2Irregular Verbs

6.4Preterite vs Imperfect Tenses

6.4.1Uses

6.5Future Tense

6.5.1The Future with 'Ir'

7Important Verbs

7.1To Be - 'Ser' & 'Estar'

7.1.1Conjugation

7.1.2Uses of 'Ser'

7.1.3Uses of 'Ser' y 'Estar'

7.1.4Expressions Using 'Estar"

7.2To Like - 'Gustar'

7.2.1How to Use 'Gustar'

7.3To Have - 'Tener'

7.3.1How to Use 'Tener'

7.3.2Phrases Using 'Tener'

8Advanced Tenses

8.1The Simple Future

8.1.1Using the Simple Future

8.1.2Regular Verbs

8.1.3Irregular Verbs

8.1.4Irregular Verbs 2

8.2Conditional Tense

8.2.1Regular Verbs

8.2.2'Hacer' & 'Decir'

8.2.3Irregular Verbs

8.3Continuous Tenses

8.3.1Forming the Gerund

8.3.2Present Continuous

8.3.3Imperfect Continuous

8.4Perfect Tense

8.4.1Past Participles

8.4.2Present Perfect

8.4.3Pluperfect

8.4.4Passive Voice

8.5Present Subjunctive

8.5.1Present Subjunctive - Regular AR Verbs

8.5.2Present Subjunctive - Regular ER Verbs

8.5.3Present Subjunctive - Regular IR Verbs

8.5.4Present Subjunctive - Irregular AR Verbs

8.5.5Irregular AR Verbs 2

8.5.6Irregular AR Verbs 3

8.5.7Present Subjunctive - Irregular ER Verbs

8.5.8Irregular ER Verbs 2

8.5.9Irregular IR Verbs

8.5.10Irregular IR Verbs 2

8.5.11Irregular IR Verbs 3

8.5.12Present Subjunctive - Uses

8.6Imperfect Subjunctive

8.6.1Imperfect Subjunctive - Regular AR Verbs

8.6.2Imperfect Subjunctive - Irregular AR Verbs

8.6.3Imperfect Subjunctive - Regular ER Verbs

8.6.4Imperfect Subjunctive - Irregular ER Verbs

8.6.5Imperfect Subjunctive - Regular IR Verbs

8.6.6Imperfect Subjunctive - Irregular IR Verbs

8.7Imperative

8.7.1Positive Imperative

8.7.2Negative Imperative

8.7.3Irregular Imperatives

9Extra Grammar

9.1Articles

9.1.1Definite Article

9.1.2Uses of the Definite Article

9.1.3Indefinite Article

9.1.4Uses of the Indefinite Article

9.1.5Lo + Adjective

9.2Negatives

9.2.1Negatives

9.3Nouns

9.3.1People & Animals

9.3.2Nouns that Stay the Same

9.3.3Nouns that Only Take One Article

9.3.4Masculine vs Feminine Nouns

9.3.5Masculine Exceptions

9.3.6Feminine Exceptions

9.3.7Noun Endings that Are Usually Feminine

9.3.8Noun Endings that Are Usually Masculine

9.3.9Nouns that End in a Vowel

9.3.10Nouns that End in a Consonant

9.3.11Masculine Nouns

9.3.12Masculine & Feminine Nouns

9.4Asking Questions

9.4.1Asking Questions Without Question Words

9.4.2Question Words

9.4.3Common Questions

9.5Adjectives

9.5.1Adjectives that Change Endings

9.5.2Adjectives that Remain the Same

9.5.3'Grande' & 'Bueno'

9.5.4Plurals Ending in a Consonant (r, l, s, d etc.)

9.5.5Plurals Ending in a Vowel (a, e etc.)

9.5.6The Best, The Worst

9.5.7This, These, That and Those

9.5.8Possession Before a Noun

9.5.9Possession After a Noun

9.5.10Whose

9.5.11Indefinite

9.6Adverbs

9.6.1Adding 'Mente'

9.6.2Quantity

9.6.3Place

9.6.4Time

9.6.5Frequency

9.6.6Still & Yet

9.7Conjunctions

9.7.1What are Conjunctions?

9.7.2Some Common Conjunctions

9.7.3Connectors

9.8Pronouns

9.8.1This, These, That & Those

9.8.2Possession

9.8.3Someone, Something

9.8.4Reflexive Pronouns

9.8.5Direct Object

9.8.6After Prepositions

9.8.7'Que' & 'Quien'

9.8.8'El Que' & 'El Cual'

9.8.9'Lo Que' & 'Lo Cual'

9.9By, With, From, Of

9.9.1By, With, From, Of

9.9.2'A' & 'De'

9.9.3For - 'Para'

9.9.4For - 'Por'

9.10Verbs

9.10.1Derivatives AR Verbs

9.10.25 Common AR Derivative Verbs

9.10.35 Common ER Derivative Verbs

9.10.45 Common IR Derivative Verbs

9.10.5Reflexives AR Verbs

9.10.66 Common Reflexive AR Verbs

9.10.76 Common Reflexive ER Verbs

9.10.86 Common Reflexive IR Verbs

9.11Comparisons

9.11.1Adjectives for Comparing Things

9.11.2Adjectives that Change when Comparing

9.11.3Comparing with Adverbs

Jump to other topics