What are the differences between the imperfect and preterite tense?

They are used to describe two different types time in the past. The imperfect is used largely to describe an ucompleted action (Estaba en el telefono cundo mi madre gritó) or an interruped action, a repeated action (Jugábamo el tenis cada día cuando eramos ninos), age (Ella tenía doce anos), dates (Era el cinco de Mayo), times (Era las dos del noche) and setting the scene (describing senses) when describing something that happened in the past (Hacía mucho calor en el noche cuando mi hija que tenía pelo rojo me llamó). There are three irregular verbs for this tense (ser/ ir/ ver). 

The preterite tense is used to describe a more structured and specific event in the past. For instance, a completed action (Chris abrío una lata de carne para su perro), an action which has an obvious start and finish (Chris empezó a sacar a pasear al perro a las doce y terminó a las tres) and more specific times and dates (Fue en el 12 de Agosto cuando los padres de Chris le compraron el perro). There are several irregular verbs for this tense. 

Answered by Elisabeth T. Spanish tutor

1815 Views

See similar Spanish A Level tutors

Related Spanish A Level answers

All answers ▸

¿Qué efectos ha tenido el turismo de masas en España?


When and how do I use the subjunctive?


How do you conjugate regular -AR, -ER and -IR verbs in the pretérito indefinido?


When do I need to use the imperfect tense in Spanish?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences