When should you use the preterite tense and when should you use the imperfect tense in Spanish

Both the preterite and imperfect tenses are past tenses in Spanish but they are used in separate ways.

Imperfect Tense

  1. Habitual actions 

  2. "ing" e.g I was walking 

  3.  what you were doing when interrupted by something else.

Preterite Tense 

  1. Actions at a given moment or time

  2. past completed action 

  3. actions that interrupt another action 

Both tenses can be used in the same sentence e.g I was walking when I heard a sound - Caminaba cuando escuché un sonido. 

Answered by Eleanor R. Spanish tutor

1740 Views

See similar Spanish GCSE tutors

Related Spanish GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Which tenses do I need to know for my Spanish i/GCSE exam?


Tu amigo español te ha preguntado sobre tu tiempo libre. Escríbele sobre tus intereses y actividades.


Answer the following question in Spanish: ?Puedes describir tu pueblo?


How do I use "ser" and "estar"?


We're here to help

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

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences