Spanish Verb Conjugation Guide: Imperfect & Preterite Tenses

Flashcards related to the conjugation of Spanish verbs in the imperfect and preterite tenses, including definitions, examples, and specific conjugation forms.

Imperfect Tense (El Imperfecto)

Used for ongoing or habitual actions in the past, descriptions, or background information without a specific beginning or end.

Preterite Tense (El Pretérito)

Used for completed actions in the past with a clear beginning and end, or to denote a sequence of events.

Regular Imperfect Endings for -AR verbs

For regular -AR verbs in the imperfect, the endings are: -aba, -abas, -aba, -ábamos, -abais, -aban.

Regular Imperfect Endings for -ER and -IR verbs

For regular -ER and -IR verbs in the imperfect, the endings are: -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían.

Irregular Imperfect Conjugation for 'ir' (to go)

One of the three irregular verbs in the imperfect tense, 'ir' has unique forms that do not follow regular ending patterns. Conjugation: Yo iba, Tú ibas, Él/Ella/Ud. iba, Nosotros íbamos, Vosotros ibais, Ellos/Uds. iban.

Irregular Imperfect Conjugation for 'ser' (to be)

One of the three irregular verbs in the imperfect tense, 'ser' has distinct forms and does not follow regular ending rules. Conjugation: Yo era, Tú eras, Él/Ella/Ud. era, Nosotros éramos, Vosotros erais, Ellos/Uds. eran.

Irregular Imperfect Conjugation for 'ver' (to see)

One of the three irregular verbs in the imperfect tense, 'ver' maintains its 'e' from the infinitive and uses specific endings. Conjugation: Yo veía, Tú veías, Él/Ella/Ud. veía, Nosotros veíamos, Vosotros veíais, Ellos/Uds. veían.

Regular Preterite Endings for -AR verbs

For regular -AR verbs in the preterite, the endings are: -é, -aste, -ó, -amos, -asteis, -aron.

Regular Preterite Endings for -ER and -IR verbs

For regular -ER and -IR verbs in the preterite, the endings are: -í, -iste, -ió, -imos, -isteis, -ieron.

Irregular Preterite Conjugation for 'ser' (to be) and 'ir' (to go)

These two verbs share the exact same irregular conjugations in the preterite tense, with a '-u-' type stem and a unique set of endings. Conjugation: Yo fui, Tú fuiste, Él/Ella/Ud. fue, Nosotros fuimos, Vosotros fuisteis, Ellos/Uds. fueron.

Irregular Preterite Conjugation for 'dar' (to give)

This verb takes on a specific set of irregular endings similar to -ER/-IR regular endings but without accent marks, and it starts with a 'd' stem. Conjugation: Yo di, Tú diste, Él/Ella/Ud. dio, Nosotros dimos, Vosotros disteis, Ellos/Uds. dieron.

Irregular Preterite Conjugation for 'ver' (to see)

This verb uses -ER/-IR regular preterite endings but without accent marks on 'yo' and 'Él/Ella/Ud.' forms, and it keeps its '-v-' stem. Conjugation: Yo vi, Tú viste, Él/Ella/Ud. vio, Nosotros vimos, Vosotros visteis, Ellos/Uds. vieron.

Example of Imperfect Usage (using irregular 'ser')

Cuando era niño, jugaba al fútbol. (When ext{ I was a child, I used to play soccer.}) - illustrates an ongoing action and description in the past, including the irregular verb 'ser'.

Example of Preterite Usage (completed action)

Ayer jugué al fútbol. (Yesterday ext{ I played soccer.}) - illustrates a completed action in the past with a definite end.