Preterite vs. Imperfect

Yesterday, Miguel took flowers to the altar.

• Preterite-one time action

• Preterite-preterite interrupting the imperfect

• Imperfect-describing people, places & events

• Imperfect-imperfect progressive

Miguel was singing.

• Preterite-beginning or end of a completed action

• Preterite-one time action

• Imperfect-to set the stage or scene

• Imperfect-imperfect progressive

Hector danced, smiled and helped Miguel.

• Preterite-one time action

• Preterite-a series of completed actions

• Imperfect-emotions,feelings, states of mind

• Imperfect-to set the stage or scene in the past.

Miguel and Mamá Coco were hugging when I arrived.

• Imperfect-imperfect progressive

• Imperfect-a regular, habitual, ongoing, or repeated action

• Preterite-the preterite interrupts the imperfect

• Preterite-the beginning or the end (completion) of an action

Frida had an iconic unibrow.

• Imperfect-to describe people, places or events in the past

• Imperfect-to set the stage or scene in the past

• Preterite-one time action

• Preterite-the beginning or the end (completion) of an action

On Monday, Dante followed Miguel to the land of the dead.

• Preterite-the beginning or the end (completion) of an action.

• Imperfect-emotions, feelings, or states of mind in the past

• Preterite-one time action

• Imperfect-to express a regular, habitual, ongoing, or repeated action

Everyday, Miguel picked up his guitar.

• Preterite-one time action

• Preterite-a series of completed actions

• Imperfect-to express a regular, habitual, ongoing, or repeated action

• Imperfect-to set the stage or scene in the past

It was a beautiful and sunny day.

• Preterite-one time action

• Imperfect-to set the stage or scene in the past.

• Imperfect-emotions, feelings, or states of mind in the past

• Preterite-the preterite can interrupt the imperfect

The preterite and the imperfect are tenses in _______________

• the past.

• the present.

• the future.

• not sure.

Every year, we used to put up pictures of our loved ones.

• Preterite-a series of completed actions

• Imperfect-imperfect progressive

• Imperfect-to express a regular, habitual, ongoing, or repeated action

• Preterite-completed action