Preterite vs. Imperfect in Spanish Grammar

Preterite

Narrates completed actions in the past.

Imperfect

Describes ongoing past actions without a time frame.

ALWEPT

Acronym for Age, Location, Weather, Emotions, Personality, Time.

Ser

To be; used for characteristics and time.

Ir

To go; used for movement.

Dar

To give; irregular preterite conjugation.

Ver

To see; irregular preterite conjugation.

Hacer

To do/make; irregular preterite conjugation.

Tener

To have; irregular preterite conjugation.

Car verbs

Change spelling in yo form to maintain pronunciation.

Gar verbs

Change spelling in yo form to maintain pronunciation.

Zar verbs

Change spelling in yo form to maintain pronunciation.

Stem changes

Occur only in third person preterite forms.

Competir

To compete; irregular in preterite.

Pedir

To ask for; irregular in preterite.

Morir

To die; irregular in preterite.

Construir

To build; irregular in preterite.

Destruir

To destroy; irregular in preterite.

Empezar

To begin; irregular in preterite.

Frequent actions

Described by imperfect tense.

Time expressions

Indicate specific moments in preterite.

Emotions

Described using imperfect tense.

Physical traits

Described using imperfect tense.

Narrative structure

Imperfect provides background details in stories.