What is the difference between the perfect/imperfect/preterite tenses?

All three of these indicate actions which occured in the past, but vary depending on duration.

The perfect tense ( he hecho) is used for past events which have just happened and are relevant to the speaker in the present.

The imperfect tense (hablaba/comia/dormia) is used for past events which were repeated and are relevant to the speaker in the present.

The preterite tense is used for past events which occured in a closed time period, these can be single events, or repeated over time BUT the duration must be clearly defined and cannot continue into the present.

Answered by Emily D. Spanish tutor

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