For actions that were repeated habitually. ![]() ![]() The imperfect is used in the following situations: To state the beginning or the end of an action.For actions that were part of a chain of events.For actions that occurred during a specific period of time.For actions that were repeated a specific number of times.For actions that can be viewed as single events.The preterite is used in the following situations: Generally speaking, the preterite is used for actions in the past that are seen as completed, while the imperfect tense is used for past actions that did not have a definite beginning or a definite end.Īnother way to view this is that the preterite tells us specifically when an action took place, while the imperfect tells us in general when an action took place. Here are all three regular imperfect verb forms together: hablar Note: The nosotros forms for -ar and -ir verbs are the same in both preterite and present tenses: hablamos, vivimos. Here are all three regular preterite verb forms together: hablar Subjunctive VIII: Actions not yet completed Subjunctive III: Verbs that change orthographically Subjunctive II: Conjugating regular and stem-changing verbs Interactive Exercises Exercise 1: Complete the blanks with the correct form of the verbs in the preterite or the imperfect. You may also wish to review the Spanish preterite.Īfter reading these notes on the Imperfect tense and reviewing the preterite, complete the following exercise with the correct tense and form. The children were playing in the park when it started to rain. Los niños estaban jugando en la plaza cuando comenzó a llover.María was having a shower when her friend knocked the door. María se estaba bañando cuando su amiga golpeó la puerta.We form this tense with the verb “estar” in the imperfect and the gerund of the action we want to mention. We use the preterite for the action that interrupts and the imperfect progressive for the action in progress. The imperfect progressive, used in combination with the preterite, describes a past action in progress that is interrupted by another action. The children were playing in the park while their mothers were chatting. Los niños jugaban en el parque mientras las madres conversaban.María was washing the dishes while her husband was preparing coffee. María lavaba los platos mientras su esposo preparaba el café.We use the word “mientras” to mean “while”. To describe two actions happening at the same time in the past. Julio was resting when they knocked the door.ġ0. Julio descansaba cuando tocaron la puerta.My sister was watching TV when I arrived home. Mi hermana miraba la tele cuando llegué a casa.When an action is interrupted by another action in the preterite. Describir el ánimo, condiciones o estados del pasado.ĩ. To describe moods, conditions or states of being in the past. In the past I studied a lot now I don't do much.Ĩ. Antes estudiaba mucho, ahora no hago mucho.Expresar contraste entre el estado actual y estados anteriores. To express contrast between present and past states. When I lived in London, I saw life in a different way.Ħ. Cuando vivía en Boston veía la vida de otro modo.When I was a girl, I went to school early every day. Cuando era niña, todos los días iba al colegio muy temprano.Describir acciones habituales en el pasado, rutinas en un período de la vida. To describe habits in the past, routines in a life period. The room was dark, the books were everywhere.ĥ. La habitación estaba oscura, los libros estaban por todas partes.What was he like? He was tall and he had blue eyes. ❼ómo era? Era alto y tenía los ojos azules.Descripción física de una persona o animal en el pasado: Descripción de características de un evento o hecho:ģ.Physical description of a person or animal in the past Description of characteristics of an event or fact Verbos irregulares: Solo hay tres verbos irregulares en este tiempo.Īyer, a las 4, los niños jugaban en el parque.ġ. There are only three irregular verbs in the imperfect tense. La forma: ❼ómo formar el imperfecto? Regular verbs/ Verbos regulares How is the Spanish imperfect tense formed? Read these notes about the imperfect tense and then practice with the exercise below. ![]() It is important to use the preterite and the imperfect accurately, as they are often confused. We use it to describe characteristics of an event, the time in the past, the appearance of a person or thing in the past, habits or routines in the past, contrast between the past and now and periods of time in the past. In Spanish there are different tenses to talk about the past, one of them is the imperfect tense. La muchacha miraba televisión mientras comía una pizza.
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