Preterite vs. imperfect
The preterite reports completed events. The imperfect sets the scene and describes what used to happen or was going on.
Take the quizUse the preterite for
Completed actions
- Ayer comí arroz con pollo.Yesterday I ate chicken and rice.
A defined period of time, however long
- Viví veinte años en Cuba.I lived in Cuba for twenty years.
A series of events that move a story forward
- Llegué, abrí la puerta y entré.I arrived, opened the door and went in.
Sudden changes or interruptions
- De repente se fue la luz.Suddenly the power went out.
Use the imperfect for
Habits: used to, would
- De niño jugaba en la calle.As a child I used to play in the street.
Description and background
- Hacía sol y la playa estaba llena.It was sunny and the beach was full.
Actions in progress in the past
- Yo cocinaba mientras ella leía.I was cooking while she was reading.
Time and age in the past
- Eran las diez.It was ten o'clock.
- Tenía seis años.I was six years old.
Together in one sentence
The imperfect is the background, and the preterite is what happened
- Dormía cuando sonó el teléfono.I was sleeping when the phone rang.
- Llovía cuando salimos.It was raining when we left.
Verbs that change meaning
Conocer: met in the preterite, knew in the imperfect
- Conocí a mi esposa en un baile.I met my wife at a dance.
- Conocía a su familia.I knew her family.
Saber: found out in the preterite, knew in the imperfect
- Supe la noticia ayer.I found out the news yesterday.
- Sabía la verdad.I knew the truth.
Poder: managed to in the preterite, was able to in the imperfect
- Por fin pude dormir.I finally managed to sleep.
- No podía dormir.I couldn't sleep.
Querer: tried to in the preterite, wanted to in the imperfect
- Quise llamarte.I tried to call you.
- Quería llamarte.I wanted to call you.
No querer in the preterite means refused
- No quiso venir.He refused to come.