1. preterite vs imperfect
the Spanish past tense…

2. 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

3. El pasado en español es como una obra de teatro.

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

5. 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

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

7. 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