preterite vs imperfect the Spanish past tense…

preterite imperfect backbone of the story moves things forward tells when things began and ended moves the story forward in time descriptive filler flesh of the story does not introduce new events stops the story to fill in details and descriptions

El pasado en español es como una obra de teatro.

Picture It preterite (events) imperfect (details/descriptions)

preterite imperfect it was sunny he woke up he ate breakfast he brushed his teeth he left the house he arrived at school these are all specific events it was sunny he was hungry he was happy the toothpaste was blue his friend was waiting these are all details/descriptions

some more pictures that may help you… End _________ _ _ _ _ _ _ Beginning _ _ _ _ _ ___________ beginning and end _______________ middle _ _ _ _ _ _ _________ _ _ _ _ _ preterite preterite preterite imperfect

verb of action habitual? interrupted? descriptive? Is it a verb of action? Is the action… habitual? interrupted? descriptive? yes to any = use imperfect no to all = use preterite