1. The preterite vs. the imperfect
There are two “simple” past tenses in Spanish: The “preterite” and the “imperfect”.
These tenses are not interchangeable, meaning that each one has specific uses and meanings.

2. The uses of the preterite
A one time past action
Ayer yo comi pizza
Yesterday I ate pizza

3. The uses of the preterite
As part of a chain of events.
Primero ella abrió la puerta, entonces miró adentro.
First she opened the door, then she looked inside.

4. The uses of the preterite
To state the beginning or end of an action.
Ellos terminaron el examen y salieron de la clase.
They finished the test and left the classroom.

5. Preterite key words Ayer = yesterday
Anteayer = the day before yesterday
Anoche = last night
Entonces = then
El ano pasado
La semana pasada
Una vez = one time

6. The uses of the imperfect
Repeated or habitual past action.
Siempre comíamos a las siete.
We always ate at seven.

7. The uses of the imperfect
To “set the stage” for something.
Yo miraba la televisión cuando . . .
I was watching t.v. when . . .

8. The uses of the imperfect
To tell time (on the clock) in the past.
Eran las tres de la tarde.
It was 3 p.m.

9. The uses of the imperfect
Someone’s age in the past.
El hombre tenía cuarenta años.
The man was 40 years old.

10. The uses of the imperfect
Mental or physical state in the past.
La maestra estaba enojada.
La chica tenia hambre
The teacher was mad.
The girl was hungry

11. The uses of the imperfect
Physical characteristics in the past.
La mujer era alta y rubia.
The woman was tall and blonde.

12. Imperfect key words A menudo = often A veces = sometimes Cada noche
Cada dia/ano
Todos los dias/anos
Mucho = a lot
Siempre = always
Generalmente = generally
Frecuentemente = frequently

13. Uses in the same sentence
Ella estaba en la casa cuando su mama llego.
Juan comió mucho porque tenia hambre.
Describing the scene and then the interruption.