What is the difference between the past tenses?

In Spanish, there are 3 main past tenses.
Imperfect: Used when something happened over a long period of time, or when something used to happen habitually, or when someone "was doing" somethingeg - vivía en Inglaterra = I used to live in Englandcomía la cena cuando sonó el teléfono = I was eating dinner when the phone rang
Perfect: Used when something "has ____ed", and is formed from the present tense of haber and the past participle. eg - ya he ido al supermercado hoy = I have already gone to the supermarket today
Preterite: Used for a one-time or definitive action, and completed actions in the past. eg - fui al cine con mis amigos anteayer = the day before yesterday, I went to the cinema with my friends.

Answered by Sophie I. Spanish tutor

1457 Views

See similar Spanish GCSE tutors

Related Spanish GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Where do you live, describe its characteristics, location and size


I don't understand nouns and articles, what is the rule that they follow?


What is an adjective agreement and how do I do it?


What is the best way for me to improve my speaking and pronunciation?


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