EL PRETÉRITOY
EL IMPERFECTO
The Preterite El preterito es una forma del pasado. El preterito tiene dos formas
para los verbos de –ar y –er/-ir.
When is the Preterite Used? An action that was completed in the
past.
1. Ayer, ella comío en Chili’s.
Yesterday, she ate at Chili’s. An action that was completed at a
specific time
1. Mi madre regresó a las tres.
My mother returned at three.
When is the Preterite Used? Actions or events that started and ended
in the past. Actions that occur only one time.
Yo regresé a la casa, miré la televisión, y hablé con mi hermano.
I returned home, watched television,
and talked to my brother.
-Car, -Gar, -Zar
-Verbos que terminan en –car c para qu: explicar – expliqué
Verbos que terminan en –gar g para gu: pegar - pegué
Verbos que terminan en –zar z para c: abrazar - abracé
Irregular Verbs
Estos verbos tienen una forma diferente. No tienen accentos.
Verbs with Special Meaning in the Preterite Conocer – to meet Saber – to find out, discover Poder – to manage Querer – to refuse (In negative
sentences) Querer – to try Tener – to receive, get
The Imperfect El imperfecto es una forma del
pasado. El imperfecto tiene dos formas para
los verbos de –ar y –er/-ir.
When to use the Imperfect Tense: Habits or customs in the past. Describe people, animals, things –
descriptive situations To tell age, dates, days, names, hours What had been happening (Hacía + time +
imperfect) Temporary condition of being Actions in progress interrupted by another
action To tell stories
Helpful sites
http://www.spanishdict.com/topics/show/64
http://www.drlemon.com/Grammar/pretvsimp.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMoIZomZG0Q