Preterite vs Imperfect
Spanish: AQA GCSE (2025 Exam), topic 6.4.3
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.
Test yourself on Preterite vs Imperfect
How do you say 'when he was ten years old, he was very big' in Spanish?