El ImperfectoThe Imperfect

Quick ReviewSpanish has two past tenses the preterite and the

imperfect.

The Preterite

En general:

The preterite is used for past actions that are seen as completed.

REVIEW: SPECIFIC USES OF THE PRETERITE

Actions that:

were repeated a specific number of times

occurred during a specific period of time.

were part of a chain of events.

can be viewed as single events.

state the beginning or the end of an action.

The Imperfecten general

The imperfect is used for past actions that are not seen as completed.

Specific reasons to use the imperfect:

1. The imperfect is used for actions that were repeated habitually.

Example: We would eat lunch in the car everyday.

Specific reasons to use the imperfect:

2. The imperfect is used for actions that "set the stage" for another action.

Example: We were eating dinner when she called.

Specific reasons to use the imperfect:

3. Telling time

Example: It was eight o’clock at night.

Specific reasons to use the imperfect:

4. Stating age

Example: The little girl was five years old.

Specific reasons to use the imperfect:

5. when describing the characteristics of people, things or conditions.

Examples:

1. The house was white.

2. He was an intelligent boy.

Specific reasons to use the imperfect:

6. when describing the general mental state or physical sensation.

Examples:

1. I liked the car.

2. I thought that Juan could do it.

Imperfect Vocabulary:

AR endingsMirar – to watch/look at

1. miraba

2. mirabas

3. miraba

1. mirábamos

2. mirabais

3. miraban

ER and IR endingsComer – to eat

1. comía

2. comías

3. comía

1. comíamos

2. comíais

3. comían

ER and IR endingsVivir – to eat

1. vivía

2. vivías

3. vivía

1. vivíamos

2. vivíais

3. vivían

Only 3 irregulars!

Ser

Ir

Ver

Ser – to be

1. era

2. eras

3. era

1. éramos

2. erais

3. eran

Ir - to go

1. iba

2. ibas

3. iba

1. íbamos

2. ibais

3. iban

Ver – to see

1. veía

2. veías

3. veía

1. veíamos

2. veíais

3. veían

Examples1. We would eat lunch in the car everyday.

2. We were eating dinner when she called.

3. It was eight o’clock at night.

4. The little girl was five years old.

5. The house was white.

6. He was an intelligent boy.

7. I liked the car.

8. I thought that Juan could do it.

Examples1. We would eat lunch in the car everyday.

Almorzábamos en el carro todos los días.

2. We were eating dinner when she called.

Cenábamos cuando ella llamó.

3. It was eight o’clock at night.

Eran las ocho de la noche

4. The little girl was five years old.

La niña tenía cinco años.

Examples5. The house was white.

La casa era blanca.

5. He was an intelligent boy.

Él era un niño inteligente.

6. I liked the car.

Me gustaba el carro.

6. I thought that Juan could do it.

Yo creía que Juan podía hacerlo.

ImportanteUse the imperfect for the following:

Used to:

Most –ing in the past

Would (meaning used to)