1 Spanish: The Imperfect Tense The tense used to described what you did in the past. (With Exceptions) By Michael Mauriello Inglesias 5/28/14

2 When do we use the imperfect tense? The imperfect then is used in a variety of scenarios. Though usually the preterit is used for many events in the past, there are a few exceptions to the preterit when the imperfect is used. The imperfect tense is used when: When an action is habitual or continuous. (Ex. I ate Cheerios every morning.) When an action was interrupted by another. (Ex. I was walking down the street when I saw the robbery.) When something is being described in the past. (Ex. The skies were cloudy yesterday.) When an emotional or mental sensation occurs in the past. (Ex. Last week I felt very confused and alone.) When you are describing a time or age in the past. (Ex. When I was a kid…)

3 For –ar verbs: Verb Root + Ar endings: Aba Abamos Abas Abais Aba Aban For –er & -ir verbs: Verb Root + er&ir endings: ίa ίamos ίas ίais ίa ίan How do we form the imperfect? (regular)

4 How to form the irregular imperfect There are only three irregular verbs in the imperfect. Those verbs being ser,ver and ir: serverir era eras era éramos erais eran veía veías veía veíamos veíais veían iba ibas iba íbamos ibais iban

Creative way to remember when the imperfect is used Habitual Interrupted Description Description(again) Emotional Niño H.I.D.D.E.N It can be remembered using this acronym: