Preterite Indefinite vs. Preterite Imperfect
Is there anything more confusing to Spanish learners than the preterite indefinite and the imperfect (Ok, aside from the subjunctive!) Both are used to talk about the past, but which one do you use? Simple.
Ever been to a Broadway show?
Iām not trying make small talk here, but have you ever been to a Broadway show? A theater show? Your kidās play? In over a decade of language teaching, the best analogy Iāve used to help my clients understand is to look at these grammar rules as a Broadway show: the imperfect sets stage and the piece (the setting, the lighting, the weather that day, the atmosphere); the actorsā actions on stage are the indefinite. Hamlet was devastated (crazy, confused, deluded, depending on whose interpretation you are relying) and imperfect. Hamlet reciting his famous āTo be or not to beā soliloquy – another indefinite.
Preterite indefinite
When speaking about actions that took place at a specific point in time, use the indefinite. The indefinite is not to be used for habits.Ā
Markers included: ayer, anteayer, anoche, anteanoche,Ā hace dos dĆas, el aƱo/mes pasado, la semana pasada, el lunes/martes/miĆ©rcoles/jueves/viernes/fin de semana.
a) El jueves, Mauricio decidiĆ³ quedarse en casa y no ir a trabajar – On Thursday, Mauricio decided to stay home and not go to work
b) El aƱo pasado no tomĆ© vacaciones – I didnāt take time off last year
Imperfect
The imperfect is used when speaking of other actions, such as habits, as well as for characteristics, descriptions, and emotions.
1. Habits
When referring to habits in the past, youāll have to use the imperfect.
a) Cuando yo era niƱo, mi familia y yo viajĆ”bamos al extranjero – When I was a kid, my family and I would travel to foreign countriesĀ
b) Ella siempre estudiaba mucho – She always studied a lot
2. Characteristics
When referring to someoneās characteristics or personality, use the imperfect.Ā
a) Era un hombre muy inteligente y generoso – He was a very intelligent and generous man
b) Eran atletas muy altos y esbeltos – They were very tall and slim athletes
3. Descriptions
When describing the weather, time, ambience, or someoneās physical traits, or even what a person was wearing, use the imperfect.Ā
a) Era un dĆa muy frĆo y nublado – It was a very cold and cloudy day
b) Eran las ocho y media de la noche – It was eight thirty in the evening
c) HabĆa mucha tensiĆ³n en la reuniĆ³n – There was a lot of tension at the meeting
d) TenĆa los ojos grandes y azules – He had big, blue eyes
e) ĀæNo te acuerdas de ella? Llevaba una camiseta rosa y unos pantalones amarillos muy chillones – You donāt remember her? She was wearing a pink T-shirt and really bright, yellow pants.
4. Emotions
Getting emotional? Drag the imperfect along.
a) Los estudiantes reprobaron la prueba. Estaban muy tristes – The students failed the test. They were very sad. Notice that in the first sentence I use the indefinite because they failed the exam. That is an action at a specific point in time.Ā
b) Me fui a casa. No me sentĆa bien – I went home. I was not feeling well.Ā
5. Ongoing actions interrupted by another action.Conjugating the preterite indefinite
An ongoing action in the imperfect is interrupted by the preterite indefinite.
a) La madre repasaba la tarea con su hijo cuando entrĆ³ su marido – The mother was reviewing homework with her son when her husband arrived
b) Yo estudiaba cuando me llamaste – I was studying when you called me
Conjugating the preterite indefinite Ar verbs (estudiar, trabajar, bailar)
Yo estudiƩ
TĆŗ estudiaste
Ćl/ella/usted estudiĆ³
Nosotros/nosotros estudiamos*
Vosotros/vosotrasĀ
Ellos/ellas/ustedes
*the same conjugation as the presentĀ
Er/ir (comer, beber, vivir)
Yo comĆ
TĆŗ comiste
Ćl/ella/usted comiĆ³
Nosotros/nosotros comimos
Vosotros/vosotras comisteis
Ellos/ellas/ustedes comieron
Exercises Conjugating the imperfect Ar verbs
Yo estudiaba
TĆŗ estudiabas
Ćl/ella/usted estudiaba
Nosotros/nosotros estudiĆ”bamosĀ
Vosotros/vosotras estudiabais
Ellos/ellas/ustedes estudiaban
Er/ir verbs
Yo comĆa
TĆŗ comĆas
Ćl/ella/usted comĆa
Nosotros/nosotros comĆamos
Vosotros/vosotras comĆais
Ellos/ellas/ustedes comĆan
Great news! There are only THREE irregular verbs in the imperfect:
Ser (era/eras/era/Ć©ramos/erais/eran)
Ir (iba/ibas/iba/Ćbamos/ibais/iban)
Ver (veĆa/veĆas/veĆa/veĆamos/veĆais/veĆan)
Exercises with the preterite indefinite and the imperfect
Now that you know the differences between preterite indefinite and the imperfect, try the following exercises.
- Me __________ (llamar, tĆŗ) muy tarde. Mi cumpleaƱos __________ (ser)Ā el martes. – You called too late. My birthday was Tuesday. Ā
- ĀæNo te gustan las sorpresas? ĀæPor quĆ© no me __________ (decir)? – You donāt like surprises? Why didnāt you tell me?q
- QuĆ© bien se ve Luis. ĀæSe __________ (cortar) el pelo? – Luis looks really good. Did he cut his hair?Ā
- Ā”__________ (ser) las cinco de la maƱana cuando __________ (irse, Ć©l)! – It was five in the morning when he left.Ā
- __________ (haber) mucha gente en la plaza – There were a lot of people at the plaza.Ā
- ĀæPor quĆ© estĆ”n tan cansados? Āæ__________ (acostarse) muy tarde anoche? – Why are they so tired? Did they go to bed late?Ā
- _________ (estar, Ć©l) muy feliz porque no __________ (tener) que trabajar – He was very happy because he didnāt have to work.Ā
- ĀæMe __________ (comprar, tĆŗ) las cosas que te __________ (pedir)? – Did you buy me the things I asked for?Ā
- Ćl le __________ (enviar) flores a su novia por San ValentĆn – He sent flowers to his girlfriend because of Valentineās Day.Ā
- ĀæNo __________ (querer, ustedes) ir a la fiesta? – You didnāt want to go to the party?Ā
Answers: 1. llamaste/era; 2. dijiste*; 3. cortĆ³; 4. eran/se fue*; 5. habĆa; 6. se acostaron; 7. estaba/tenĆa; 8. compraste/pedĆ; 9. enviĆ³; 10. querĆanĀ *irregularĀ
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