Preterit Vs. Imperfect Reasons

Nos besamos por primera vez anoche. → It’s preterit because…

• A. There was an action that only happened one time.

• B. There was a time frame.

• C. Nothing happened.

• Both A & B

• Both A & C

Ella estudió mucho para el examen. → It’s preterit because…

• A. There was an action that did not repeat itself a lot.

• B. The action interrupted her free time.

• C. Nothing happened.

• Both A & B

• Both A & C

Mis amigos comieron en Taco Bell ayer. → It’s preterit because…

• A. There is a time frame.

• B. The action repeated a specific number of times.

• C. We know when it happened.

• Both A & B.

• Both A & C

Él se cayó mientras limpiaba el piso. → It’s preterit because…

• A. It was part of a chain of events.

• B. It happened only one time.

• C. It interrupted another action.

• Both A & B.

• Both A & C

Los estudiantes no vinieron a clase por tres semanas. → It’s preterit because…

• A. It was part of a chain of events.

• B. There is a definite time frame.

• C. An action interrupted another action.

• Both A & B

• Both A & C.

Los maestros estaban muy tristes. → It’s imperfect because…

• A. Nothing happened.

• B. It's an emotional state in the past.

• C. It got interrupted by another event/action.

• Both A & B.

• Both A & C.

Él se cayó mientras limpiaba el piso. → It’s imperfect because …

• A. Nothing happened.

• B. It was telling time in the past.

• C. It was interrupted by another action.

• Both A & B.

• Both A & C.

Carmen tomaba lecciones de piano por mucho tiempo. → It’s imperfect because…

• A. Nothing happened.

• B. An action repeated for an indefinite/unknown amount/number of times.

• C. It was interrupted by another event.

• Both A & B.

• Both A & C.

Ella miraba la tele todos los días. → It’s imperfect because…

• A. Nothing happened.

• B. It's a description.

• C. An action repeated itself for an indefinite/unknown amount/number of times.

• Both A & B.

• Both A & C.

Mi papá llamaba a mi abuela cada semana. → It’s imperfect because…

• A. Nothing happened.

• B. An action repeated for an indefinite/unknown amount/number of times.

• C. It's a description.

• Both A & B.

• Both A & C.