EL PRETÉRITOY

EL IMPERFECTO

The Preterite El preterito es una forma del pasado. El preterito tiene dos formas

para los verbos de –ar y –er/-ir.

When is the Preterite Used? An action that was completed in the

past.

1. Ayer, ella comío en Chili’s.

Yesterday, she ate at Chili’s. An action that was completed at a

specific time

1. Mi madre regresó a las tres.

My mother returned at three.

When is the Preterite Used? Actions or events that started and ended

in the past. Actions that occur only one time.

Yo regresé a la casa, miré la televisión, y hablé con mi hermano.

I returned home, watched television,

and talked to my brother.

-Car, -Gar, -Zar

-Verbos que terminan en –car c para qu: explicar – expliqué

Verbos que terminan en –gar g para gu: pegar - pegué

Verbos que terminan en –zar z para c: abrazar - abracé

Irregular Verbs

Estos verbos tienen una forma diferente. No tienen accentos.

Verbs with Special Meaning in the Preterite Conocer – to meet Saber – to find out, discover Poder – to manage Querer – to refuse (In negative

sentences) Querer – to try Tener – to receive, get

The Imperfect El imperfecto es una forma del

pasado. El imperfecto tiene dos formas para

los verbos de –ar y –er/-ir.

When to use the Imperfect Tense: Habits or customs in the past. Describe people, animals, things –

descriptive situations To tell age, dates, days, names, hours What had been happening (Hacía + time +

imperfect) Temporary condition of being Actions in progress interrupted by another

action To tell stories

Helpful sites

http://www.spanishdict.com/topics/show/64

http://www.drlemon.com/Grammar/pretvsimp.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMoIZomZG0Q