8.4.3

Preterite vs Imperfect

Test yourself

Choosing Between the Preterite and the Imperfect

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

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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.
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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 enseñó biología el año pasado, pero nunca más.
    • That teacher 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.
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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 lo odió.
      • She loved to play football but that day she hated it.
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Actions happening at the same time

  • 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 la llamé por teléfono.
    • My mother was cooking when I called her on the phone.

Jump to other topics

1The Basics

2Everyday Activities

3Personal & Social Life

4The World Around Us

5The World of Work

6The International World

7Listening

7.1Time Expressions - Listening

7.2The Human Body & Health - Listening

7.3Food & Drink - Listening

7.4Travel & Transport - Listening

7.5Self, Family & Friends - Listening

7.6In the Home - Listening

7.7Colours - Listening

7.8Clothes & Accesories - Listening

7.9Leisure Time - Listening

7.10People & Places - Listening

7.11The Environment - Listening

7.12Communications & Technology - Listening

7.13The Built Environment - Listening

7.14Measurements - Listening

7.15Materials - Listening

7.16The World of Work - Listening

7.17Culture, Customs, Faith & Celebrations

8Common Tenses

8.1Present Tense

8.2Preterite Tense

8.3Imperfect Tense

8.4Preterite vs Imperfect Tenses

8.5Future Tense

9Important Verbs

10Advanced Tenses

10.1Future

10.2Conditional

10.3Continuous Tenses

10.4Perfect Tense

10.5Passive

10.6Present Subjunctive

10.7Imperfect Subjunctive

10.8Imperative

11Extra Grammar

11.1Articles

11.2Negatives

11.3Nouns

11.4Asking Questions

11.5Adjectives

11.6Adverbs

11.7Conjunctions

11.8Pronouns

11.9Prepositions

11.10Verbs

11.11Comparisons & Superlative

11.12Numbers, Expressions of Quantity, Dates & Times

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