Imperfect vs Preterite

Imperfect AR Endings

aba, abas, aba, ábamos, aban

Imperfect ER Endings

ía, ías, ía, íamos, ían

Imperfect IR Endings

ía, ías, ía, íamos, ían

Imperfect Usage

Used to / repeated or ongoing actions in the past

Imperfect Yo AR Example

Hablaba (I used to talk)

Imperfect Yo ER Example

Comía (I used to eat)

Imperfect Yo IR Example

Vivía (I used to live)

Ir (imperfect)

iba, ibas, iba, íbamos, iban

Ser (imperfect)

era, eras, era, éramos, eran

Ver (imperfect)

veía, veías, veía, veíamos, veían

Preterite AR Endings

é, aste, ó, amos, aron

Preterite ER Endings

í, iste, ió, imos, ieron

Preterite IR Endings

í, iste, ió, imos, ieron

Preterite Usage

Completed action in the past / specific time

Preterite Yo AR Example

Hablé (I talked)

Preterite Yo ER Example

Comí (I ate)

Preterite Yo IR Example

Viví (I lived)

Imperfect vs Preterite

Imperfect = ongoing/repeated, Preterite = completed

Signal Words Imperfect

siempre, a menudo, mientras, todos los días

Signal Words Preterite

ayer, anoche, una vez, entonces