Preterite or Imperfect? What rule?
Last night, Maria made pizza. PRETERITE: one time action
Every Friday I bought a new CD. IMPERFECT: habitual action.
My family and I cooked, ate, cleaned, and went to the park. PRETERITE: a list of actions
Once I ate a worm. PRETERITE: one time action
The students finished the project. PRETERITE: beginning or end of action
When Eva was 13 years old, she ice skated one time. IMPERFECT: age in the past PRETERITE: one time action
While David walked, he looked at his watch. IMPERFECT: continuous action
At 7:30, Raul cried because his girlfriend broke-up with him. PRETERITE: one time action, beginning or end of action
School was always a fun place for Jimmy. IMPERFECT: setting the stage or background.
I studied everyday. IMPERFECT: habitual or continuous action
Jane was sad and depressed because she realized that her boyfriend was fat. IMPERFECT: setting the stage PRETERITE: interrupt action, one time action IMPERFECT: setting the stage, description
It was 8:52 when Roger began to write his paper. IMPERFECT: time in the past PRETERITE: beginning or end of action
John was taking his test when suddenly the fire alarm went off. IMPERFECT: continuing action in the past PRETERITE: interruption