Cornell Notes: Preterite vs. Imperfect

What do we express with the preterite and imperfect tenses?

Both tenses indicate a past action or state.

Are the preterite and imperfect tenses interchangeable?

No, these two tenses have different meanings or implications.

What is important about the conjugation of preterite and imperfect tenses?

Each tense has its own set of endings for –AR, –ER, and –IR verbs, with some irregular verbs in each tense.

How can I tell which past tense to use?

It depends on the function of the sentence, and trigger phrases indicate which tense to use.

What are some uses of the preterite tense?

The preterite is used for completed actions with definite start and end points, actions repeated a specific number of times, and actions 'frozen' in the past.

What are some trigger phrases for the preterite tense?

ayer, anteayer, anoche, el año pasado, la semana pasada, hace dos años, una vez, el otro día, etc.

Give an example sentence using the preterite.

Fui al baile anoche. (I went to the dance last night.)

What are some verbs that are typically preterite by nature?

Verbs like nacer (to be born), morir (to die), descubrir (to discover), salir (to leave), and llegar (to arrive) are preterite by nature.

What are some uses of the imperfect tense?

The imperfect is used for actions in the past with no definite beginning or end, actions that set the stage for another past event, and habitual actions.

What are some trigger phrases for the imperfect tense?

a veces, a menudo, cada día, todos los años, con frecuencia, muchas veces, etc.

Give an example sentence using the imperfect.

Cuando yo era niña, jugaba con muñecas. (When I was a little girl, I played with dolls.)

How do we summarize the difference between the preterite and imperfect?

The preterite expresses completed actions with clear start and end points, while the imperfect expresses ongoing or habitual actions with no definite beginning or end.