8.4.1

Uses of the Preterite

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Uses of the Preterite Tense

A finished one-time action

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’

‘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

A finished period of time

  • Vivieron en Australia durante 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

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

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

Start and end of events

  • Empezó a llover.
    • It began to rain.
  • La novela terminó con un final cómico.
    • The book ended with a comic end.
Jump to other topics
1

The Basics

1.1

Pronouns

1.1.1Personal Pronouns
1.2

Verbs

1.2.13 Types of Verbs1.2.2The Infinitive1.2.3Verbs Indicating Weather
1.3

Nouns

1.3.1Noun Endings1.3.2Other Noun Endings
1.4

Adjectives

1.4.1Gender1.4.2Position of Adjectives
1.5

Abbreviations

1.5.1Common Abbreviations
2

Everyday Activities

2.1

Time Expressions

2.1.1Telling the Time2.1.2Dates2.1.3Time2.1.4Time Expressions (1/3)2.1.5Time Expressions (2/3)2.1.6Time Expressions (3/3)2.1.7Sometimes2.1.8A While2.1.9Days of the Week2.1.10Months2.1.11Seasons
2.2

Food & Drink

2.2.1Meat2.2.2Fish2.2.3Other Food2.2.4Fruit2.2.5Vegetables2.2.6Drinks2.2.7Snacks2.2.8Dairy2.2.9More Food2.2.10Food & Drinks: Adjectives2.2.11Cutlery & Utensils2.2.12Exam-Style Questions - Food
2.3

The Human Body & Health

2.3.1The Head2.3.2The Body (1/2)2.3.3The Body (2/2)2.3.4The Body: Verbs & Expressions2.3.5Health2.3.6Healthy Lifestyle2.3.7Bad Lifestyles2.3.8Illness2.3.9Recovery
2.4

Travel & Transport

2.4.1Holidays2.4.2What Did You Do on Holiday?2.4.3Opinions2.4.4Transport2.4.5Asking About Your Journey2.4.6Making a Reservation2.4.7Accomodation2.4.8Tourism2.4.9Directions2.4.10Near, There2.4.11Exam-Style Questions - Holidays
3

Personal & Social Life

3.1

Greetings

3.1.1Greetings (1/2)3.1.2Greetings (2/2)
3.2

Self, Family & Friends

3.2.1Age & Name3.2.2To Have - 'Tener'3.2.3Physical Appearance3.2.4Appearance3.2.5Physical Appearance 23.2.6Personality (1/2)3.2.7Personality (2/2)3.2.8Describing People3.2.9Relationships3.2.10Family3.2.11Family Members3.2.12Describing Family3.2.13Talking About Your Family3.2.14Friends (1/2)3.2.15Friends (2/2)3.2.16Important Verbs3.2.17Role Model3.2.18Favourite Games3.2.19Invitations3.2.20Describing Personality
3.3

In The Home

3.3.1Home3.3.2What is in Your House?3.3.3Helping at Home3.3.4Daily Routine (1/2)3.3.5Daily Routine (2/2)3.3.6Near Your Home3.3.7Common Prepositions3.3.8The Bathroom3.3.9The Bathroom: Verbs & Expressions3.3.10The Living Room3.3.11The Kitchen3.3.12The Bedroom3.3.13House Chores3.3.14The Garden3.3.15Household Appliances
3.4

Colours

3.4.1Colours
3.5

Clothes & Accesories

3.5.1Clothes (1/2)3.5.2Clothes (2/2)3.5.3Accessories
3.6

Leisure Time

3.6.1Music3.6.2Cinema3.6.3TV3.6.4Sport3.6.5What Sport Do You Do?3.6.6Why Do You Play Sports?3.6.7To Be in Fashion3.6.8Eating Out3.6.9Opinions3.6.10What I Liked
4

The World Around Us

4.1

People & Places

4.1.1Continents4.1.2Countries (1/2)4.1.3Countries (2/2)4.1.4Nationalities4.1.5Compass Points
4.2

The Natural World & The Environment

4.2.1Environment4.2.2Exam-Style Questions - The Environment4.2.3Good Weather4.2.4Bad Weather4.2.5The Natural Word4.2.6Climate Change4.2.7Animals4.2.8Natural World - Verbs & Expressions
4.3

Communications & Technology

4.3.1Mobile Technology4.3.2Social Media4.3.3Opinions on Social Media4.3.4Positives of Social Media4.3.5Negatives of Social Media4.3.6Using our Devices4.3.7Documents & Texts
4.4

The Built Environment

4.4.1Shops (1/2)4.4.2Shops (2/2)4.4.3Places in Town (1/2)4.4.4Places in Town (2/2)4.4.5Your Town4.4.6Town & Countryside4.4.7Food Shopping4.4.8How Much4.4.9Money Matters
4.5

Measurements

4.5.1Size & Weight4.5.2Shapes & Measurements
4.6

Materials

4.6.1Materials
5

The World of Work

5.1

Education

5.1.1School5.1.2In The Classroom5.1.3Subjects (1/2)5.1.4Subjects (2/2)5.1.5A Good Student5.1.6My Studies5.1.7Exam-Style Questions - A Good Student5.1.8Life at School5.1.9School Trips5.1.10University (1/2)5.1.11University (2/2)5.1.12Future Study5.1.13School Routine5.1.14Study - Verbs & Expressions
5.2

Work

5.2.1Types of Jobs (1/2)5.2.2Types of Jobs (2/2)5.2.3Work5.2.4Ideal Job5.2.5Languages5.2.6Charity5.2.7Charity Work5.2.8The Workplace
6

The International World

6.1

Culture, Customs, Faiths & Celebrations

6.1.1Languages6.1.2Customs & Festivals6.1.3Customs6.1.4Exam-Style Questions - Festivals
7

Listening

7.1

Time Expressions - Listening

7.1.1Time Expressions: Listening
7.2

The Human Body & Health - Listening

7.2.1Healthy & Unhealthy Living: Listening
7.3

Food & Drink - Listening

7.3.1Food & Drink: Listening
7.4

Travel & Transport - Listening

7.4.1Tourism: Listening7.4.2Tourism: Listening (Higher)
7.5

Self, Family & Friends - Listening

7.5.1Family & Friends: Listening7.5.2Family & Friends: Listening (Higher)7.5.3Marriage & Partnerships: Listening7.5.4Marriage & Partnerships: Listening (Higher)
7.6

In the Home - Listening

7.6.1In the Home: Listening
7.7

Colours - Listening

7.7.1Colours: Listening
7.8

Clothes & Accesories - Listening

7.8.1Clothes & Accesories: Listening
7.9

Leisure Time - Listening

7.9.1Music: Listening7.9.2Music: Listening (Higher)7.9.3Cinema & TV: Listening7.9.4Cinema & TV: Listening (Higher)7.9.5Food & Eating Out: Listening7.9.6Food & Eating Out: Listening (Higher)7.9.7Sport: Listening7.9.8Sport: Listening (Higher)
7.10

People & Places - Listening

7.10.1People & Places: Listening
7.11

The Environment - Listening

7.11.1The Environment: Listening
7.12

Communications & Technology - Listening

7.12.1Mobile Technology: Listening7.12.2Mobile Technology: Listening (Higher)7.12.3Social Media: Listening7.12.4Social Media: Listening (Higher)
7.13

The Built Environment - Listening

7.13.1My Neighbourhood: Listening7.13.2My Neighbourhood: Listening (Higher)
7.14

Measurements - Listening

7.14.1Measurements: Listening
7.15

Materials - Listening

7.15.1Materials: Listening
7.16

The World of Work - Listening

7.16.1Education: Listening7.16.2Life at School: Listening7.16.3Life at School: Listening (Higher)7.16.4Education Post-16: Listening7.16.5Jobs, Careers, & Ambition: Listening7.16.6Jobs & Careers: Listening (Higher)7.16.7Charity & Voluntary Work: Listening7.16.8Charity: Listening7.16.9Poverty & Homelessness: Listening
7.17

Culture, Customs, Faith & Celebrations

7.17.1Day of the Dead: Listening7.17.2Day of the Dead: Listening (Higher)
8

Common Tenses

8.1

Present Tense

8.1.1Present: Regular 'AR' Verbs8.1.2Present: 5 Common 'AR' Verbs8.1.3Present: Negative Verbs8.1.4Present: Irregular 'AR' Verbs (1/3)8.1.5Present: Irregular 'AR' Verbs (2/3)8.1.6Present: Irregular 'AR' Verbs (3/3)8.1.7Present: Regular 'ER' Verbs8.1.8Present: 5 Common 'ER' Verbs8.1.9Present: Irregular 'ER' Verbs (1/4)8.1.10Present: Irregular 'ER' Verbs (2/4)8.1.11Present: Irregular 'ER' Verbs (3/4)8.1.12Present: Irregular 'ER' Verbs (4/4)8.1.13Present: Regular 'IR' Verbs8.1.14Present: 5 Common 'IR' Verbs8.1.15Present: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (1)8.1.16Present: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (2)8.1.17Present: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (3)8.1.18Present: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (4)8.1.19Present: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (5)8.1.20Present: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (6)8.1.21Present: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (7)8.1.22Present: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (8)8.1.23Verb Phrases: Expressing Opinion8.1.24Present: Set Expressions8.1.25The Use of 'Se'
8.2

Preterite Tense

8.2.1Preterite: Regular 'AR' Verbs8.2.2Preterite: 5 Common 'AR' Verbs8.2.3Preterite: Irregular 'AR' Verbs (1/3)8.2.4Preterite: Irregular 'AR' Verbs (2/3)8.2.5Preterite: Irregular 'AR' Verbs (3/3)8.2.6Preterite: Regular 'ER' Verbs (1/2)8.2.7Preterite: Regular 'ER' Verbs (2/2)8.2.8Preterite: Irregular 'ER' Verbs8.2.9Preterite: Irregular 'ER' Verbs: 'Ser'8.2.10Preterite: Irregular 'ER' Verbs: 'Tener'8.2.11Preterite: Irregular 'ER' Verbs: 'Ver'8.2.12Preterite: Irregular 'ER' Verbs (1/3)8.2.13Preterite: Irregular 'ER' Verbs (2/3)8.2.14Preterite: Irregular 'ER' Verbs (3/3)8.2.15Preterite: Regular 'IR' Verbs8.2.16Preterite: 5 Common 'IR' Verbs8.2.17Preterite: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (1/4)8.2.18Preterite: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (2/4)8.2.19Preterite: Irregular 'IR' Verbs (3/4)8.2.20Preterite: Irregular 'IR' Verbs8.2.21Preterite: Irregular 'IR' Verbs - Decir8.2.22Preterite: Irregular 'IR' Verbs - Venir8.2.23Preterite: Irregular 'IR' Verbs - Ir
8.3

Imperfect Tense

8.3.1Regular 'AR' Verbs in the Imperfect8.3.2Regular 'ER' Verbs in the Imperfect8.3.3Regular 'IR' Verbs in the Imperfect8.3.4Imperfect: To Be - 'Ser'8.3.5Imperfect: To Go - 'Ir'8.3.6Imperfect: To See - 'Ver'
8.4

Preterite vs Imperfect Tenses

8.4.1Uses of the Preterite8.4.2Uses of the Imperfect8.4.3Preterite vs Imperfect
8.5

Future Tense

8.5.1The Future with 'Ir'8.5.2The Future with 'Ir': Uses
9

Important Verbs

9.1

To Be - 'Ser' & 'Estar'

9.1.1Conjugation: 'Ser'9.1.2Uses of 'Ser' (1/2)9.1.3Uses of 'Ser' (2/2)9.1.4Expressions Using 'Ser'9.1.5Conjugation: 'Estar'9.1.6Uses of 'Estar'9.1.7Expressions Using 'Estar'9.1.8General Expressions Using 'Estar' (1/2)9.1.9General Expressions Using 'Estar' (2/2)9.1.10'Ser' or 'Estar'9.1.11To Be - 'Ser' - Imperfect
9.2

To Like - 'Gustar'

9.2.1How to Use 'Gustar'9.2.2Similar Verbs to 'Gustar'
9.3

To Have - 'Tener'

9.3.1Conjugation: 'Tener'9.3.2Uses of 'Tener'9.3.3Phrases Using 'Tener' (1/2)9.3.4Phrases Using 'Tener' (2/2)
10

Advanced Tenses

10.1

Future

10.1.1Future: Regular Verbs: 'AR' Verbs10.1.2Future: Regular Verbs: 'ER' Verbs10.1.3Future: Regular Verbs: 'IR' Verbs10.1.4Uses of the Simple Future10.1.5Future: Irregular Verbs (1/2)10.1.6Future: Irregular Verbs (2/2)10.1.7Future: Irregular Verbs: 'Hacer'10.1.8Future: Irregular Verbs: 'Decir'
10.2

Conditional

10.2.1Conditional: Regular 'AR' Verbs10.2.2Conditional: Regular 'ER' Verbs10.2.3Conditional: Regular 'IR' Verbs10.2.4Conditional: 'Hacer'10.2.5Conditional: 'Decir'10.2.6Irregular Verbs: Deleting an 'E' before the ‘R'10.2.7Irregular Verbs: Adding 'DR' to the Stem10.2.8Irregular Verbs: Adding an 'R' to the Stem10.2.9Uses of the Conditional
10.3

Continuous Tenses

10.3.1'AR', 'ER' & 'IR' Gerunds10.3.2Changes to the Gerund10.3.3Changes to the Stem10.3.4Present Continuous - Regular Gerunds10.3.5Present Continuous - Irregular Gerunds10.3.6Uses of the Present Continuous10.3.7Imperfect Continuous - Regular Gerunds10.3.8Imperfect Continuous - Irregular Gerunds
10.4

Perfect Tense

10.4.1'AR', 'ER' & 'IR' Past Participles10.4.2Irregular Past Participles (1/2)10.4.3Irregular Past Participles (2/2)10.4.4Present Perfect10.4.5Irregular Present Perfect10.4.6Uses of the Present Perfect10.4.7Pluperfect10.4.8Irregular Pluperfect
10.5

Passive

10.5.1Forming the Passive with 'Se'10.5.2Forming the Passive Voice with 'Ser'
10.6

Present Subjunctive

10.6.1Present Subjunctive: Regular 'AR' Verbs10.6.2Present Subjunctive: Regular 'ER' Verbs10.6.3Present Subjunctive: Regular 'IR' Verbs10.6.4Irregular 'AR' Verbs: Radical Changing 'AR' Stems10.6.5Irregular 'AR' Verbs: Spelling Changes 'GAR'-'GU'10.6.6Irregular 'AR' Verbs: Spelling Changes 'CAR'-'QU'10.6.7Irregular 'AR' Verbs: Spelling Changes 'ZAR'-'C'10.6.8Irregular 'AR' Verbs: 'Estar'10.6.9Irregular 'AR' Verbs: 'Dar'10.6.10Irregular 'ER' Verbs: Radical Changing Stems10.6.11Irregular 'ER' Subjunctive10.6.12Irregular ER Verbs: Spelling Changes 'GER'-'J'10.6.13Irregular 'ER' Verbs: No Pattern10.6.14Irregular 'IR' Verbs: Radical Changing Stems10.6.15Irregular 'IR' Verbs: Adding a 'G'10.6.16Irregular 'IR' Verbs: Verbs Ending in 'ducir'10.6.17Irregular 'IR' Verbs: Verbs Ending in 'uir'10.6.18Irregular 'IR' Verbs: Spelling Changes 'GIR'-'J'10.6.19Irregular 'IR' Verbs: Spelling Changes 'GUIR'-'G'10.6.20Irregular 'IR' Verbs: 'Ir'10.6.21Subjunctive Uses (1/2)10.6.22Subjunctive Uses (2/2)
10.7

Imperfect Subjunctive

10.7.1Imperfect Subjunctive: 'AR' Verbs10.7.2Imperfect Subjunctive: Irregular 'AR'10.7.3Imperfect Subjunctive: Regular 'ER'10.7.4Imperfect Subjunctive: Irregular 'ER'10.7.5'ER' Verbs : Strong Preterites10.7.6Imperfect Subjunctive: 'IR' Verbs10.7.7Imperfect Subjunctive: Irregular 'IR'10.7.8'IR' Verbs: 'Strong Preterites'
10.8

Imperative

10.8.1Positive Imperative10.8.2Negative Imperative10.8.3Irregular Imperatives
11

Extra Grammar

11.1

Articles

11.1.1Definite Article11.1.2Uses of the Definite Article11.1.3Indefinite Article11.1.4Uses of the Indefinite Article11.1.5Lo + Adjective
11.2

Negatives

11.2.1Negatives (1/2)11.2.2Negatives (2/2)11.2.3Just the 'Nada' Bit
11.3

Nouns

11.3.1Gender of Nouns for People & Animals11.3.2Nouns that Stay the Same11.3.3Nouns that Only Take One Article11.3.4Masculine vs Feminine Nouns11.3.5Masculine Exceptions11.3.6Feminine Exceptions11.3.7Noun Endings that Are Usually Feminine11.3.8Noun Endings that Are Usually Masculine11.3.9Masculine Nouns11.3.10Masculine and Feminine Nouns: Different Meanings11.3.11Plural: Nouns that End in a Vowel11.3.12Plural: Nouns that End in a Consonant
11.4

Asking Questions

11.4.1Asking Questions Without Question Words11.4.2Question Words (1/2)11.4.3Question Words (2/2)11.4.4Common Questions (1/2)11.4.5Common Questions (2/2)
11.5

Adjectives

11.5.1Adjectives that Change Endings11.5.2Adjectives that Remain the Same11.5.3Adjectives: 'Grande' and 'Bueno'11.5.4Plural: Ending in a Consonant11.5.5Plural: Ending in a Vowel11.5.6Superlative: The Best, The Worst11.5.7Adjectives Ending in '-ísimo/ísima'11.5.8This, These, That and Those11.5.9Possession: Before a Noun11.5.10Possesion: After a Noun11.5.11Possesion: Whose11.5.12Indefinites (1/2)11.5.13Indefinites (2/2)
11.6

Adverbs

11.6.1Adverbs with '-mente'11.6.2Adverbs of Degree & Manner11.6.3Common Phrases with Adverbs: Quantity11.6.4Common Phrases with Adverbs: Place11.6.5Common Phrases with Adverbs: Time11.6.6Common Phrases with Adverbs: Frequency11.6.7Adverbs: Still & Yet11.6.8Adverbs: No11.6.9Adverbial Phrases11.6.10Adverbs Ending in '-ísimo/ísima'
11.7

Conjunctions

11.7.1What are Conjunctions?11.7.2Some Common Conjunctions11.7.3Connectors
11.8

Pronouns

11.8.1Demonstrative Pronouns11.8.2Possessive Pronouns11.8.3Indefinites: 'Algo' & 'Alguien'11.8.4Indefinites: 'Alguno' & 'Cualquiera'11.8.5Reflexive Pronouns11.8.6Direct Object11.8.7Direct Object: Position11.8.8Indirect Object11.8.9Pronouns After Prepositions (1/2)11.8.10Pronouns After Prepositions (2/2)11.8.11Relative Pronouns: 'Que' & 'Quien'11.8.12Relative Pronouns: 'El Que' & 'El Cual'11.8.13Relative Pronouns: 'Lo Que' & 'Lo Cual'
11.9

Prepositions

11.9.1By, With, From, Of11.9.2'A' & 'De'11.9.3For - 'Para'11.9.4For - 'Por'11.9.5'Desde Hace' with Present & Imperfect
11.10

Verbs

11.10.1Derivatives11.10.25 Common 'AR' Derivatives11.10.35 Common 'ER' Derivatives11.10.45 Common 'IR' Derivatives11.10.5Reflexives Verbs11.10.66 Common Reflexive 'AR' Verbs11.10.76 Common Reflexive 'ER' Verbs11.10.86 Common Reflexive 'IR' Verbs
11.11

Comparisons & Superlative

11.11.1Adjectives for Comparing Things11.11.2Adjectives that Change for Comparing11.11.3Comparing with Adverbs11.11.4Superlative
11.12

Numbers, Expressions of Quantity, Dates & Times

11.12.1Set Expressions11.12.2Numbers (1-20)11.12.3Numbers (11-20)11.12.4Numbers (21 - 100)11.12.5Numbers (30-100)11.12.6Parties11.12.7Ordinal Numbers & Fractions

Practice questions on Uses of the Preterite

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which of the following sentences is correct?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Carlos quiere contar a sus amigos algo que hizo ayer.<br><br> ¿Cuál de estas frases usa correctamente el pretérito para expresar una acción terminada y puntual?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Marta y Luis estuvieron en México durante tres meses el año pasado. <br><br>¿Qué frase expresa correctamente esta idea usando el pretérito?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Marta quiere contar a sus amigos lo que hizo ayer. <br><br>¿Cuál de estas frases usa correctamente el pretérito para indicar una acción terminada y puntual? Multiple choice
  5. 5
    En una novela, se puede leer: 'Juan llegó al castillo, cenó con la reina y luego salió a pasear por los jardines.'<br><br> ¿Qué uso del pretérito está presente en esta descripción? Multiple choice
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Imperfect: To See - 'Ver'

Uses of the Imperfect