Preterite vs Imperfect
Pretérito e imperfecto
Use the preterite for completed events and the imperfect for background, habits, and ongoing past states.
Preterite vs Imperfect
Use the preterite for completed events and the imperfect for background, habits, and ongoing past states.
Ayer fui al mercado.
Yesterday I went to the market.
Focus: fui
Cuando era niño, vivía en Sevilla.
When I was a child, I lived in Seville.
Focus: vivía
Use the preterite for the main event and the imperfect for background details.
Pattern tables
See the grammar pattern.
Preterite vs Imperfect patterns
| Spanish | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ayer fui al mercado. | Yesterday I went to the market. | fui |
| Cuando era niño, vivía en Sevilla. | When I was a child, I lived in Seville. | vivía |
Practice prompts
Try a few examples.
Choose a completed event: Yesterday I ate paella.
- Ayer comí paella.
- Ayer comía paella.
- Ayer como paella.
- Ayer comeré paella.
Answer: Ayer comí paella.
Use the preterite for completed events and the imperfect for background, habits, and ongoing past states.
Which sentence describes a completed past event?
- Ayer fui al mercado.
- Cuando era niño, vivía en Sevilla.
Answer: Ayer fui al mercado.
Use the preterite for completed events and the imperfect for background, habits, and ongoing past states.
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