https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3O36Eh4cg4&t=92s
Professor Jason - Imperfect vs Preterit
Babarondev
May 5, 2019
Babarondev
May 5, 2019
Preterite vs imperfect
When to use preterite:
1/.In a nutshell, use it where we quite a lot of information. We know a lot about something.
I ordered a salad - is something that happened in the past and it is a completed action.
Yo pedi una enselada
If you have clear time frames.
I lived in London for four years. - Yo vivi en Londres por 4 anos
I played for Manchester United from 2001 to 2004- Yo jugue para Manchester United desde 2001 hasta 2004.
He was here for two days- el establo aqui por dos dias
A series of actions or routines.
Today I was busy, I cleaned the house, danced salsa and watched a movie.- Hoy estuve occupado. Yo limpie la casa, baile salsa y mire una pelicula.
Can be used to illustrate sudden changes e.g. Getting up or sitting down
When the queen entreated the building, everyone stood up-Cuando el Reina entro el edificio todos se leventaron
To talk about sickness, If someone gets sick or injured
Me lastime - I got injured
Carlos se enfermo- Carlos got sick.
Interrupted action.
I was watching Tv and my girlfriend rang.
Miraba la television y mi novia me llamo.
I was having lunch and all of a sudden I saw an eagle
estaba almorzando y de repente vi una aguila
Imperfect
Imperfect is used to describe events that are vague
I used to live in London-Yo Vivia en Londres.
I was having lunch - estaba almorzando
Can be used to describe past continuous that describe background information
I was playing and all of a sudden my friend collapsed.
Estaba jugando y de repente mi amigo se derrumbó
Can be used to describe actions that took place all the time in the past. I used to ....
I used to visit my grandmother every saturday- Visitaba mi Abuela todos los sábados
When referring to age:
When I was 16 I used to play football- Cuando tenía 16 años jugaba el fútbol
When referring to personal characteristics:-
Cuando era Niño era travieso y simpático
The imperfect used to refer to weather
Estaba lluviendo hacia sol
For time always use
I was 1 o'clock - Era la una
I was 5 o'clock when she came in - Eran las cinca cuando Ella entró a dentro
When to use preterite:
1/.In a nutshell, use it where we quite a lot of information. We know a lot about something.
I ordered a salad - is something that happened in the past and it is a completed action.
Yo pedi una enselada
If you have clear time frames.
I lived in London for four years. - Yo vivi en Londres por 4 anos
I played for Manchester United from 2001 to 2004- Yo jugue para Manchester United desde 2001 hasta 2004.
He was here for two days- el establo aqui por dos dias
A series of actions or routines.
Today I was busy, I cleaned the house, danced salsa and watched a movie.- Hoy estuve occupado. Yo limpie la casa, baile salsa y mire una pelicula.
Can be used to illustrate sudden changes e.g. Getting up or sitting down
When the queen entreated the building, everyone stood up-Cuando el Reina entro el edificio todos se leventaron
To talk about sickness, If someone gets sick or injured
Me lastime - I got injured
Carlos se enfermo- Carlos got sick.
Interrupted action.
I was watching Tv and my girlfriend rang.
Miraba la television y mi novia me llamo.
I was having lunch and all of a sudden I saw an eagle
estaba almorzando y de repente vi una aguila
Imperfect
Imperfect is used to describe events that are vague
I used to live in London-Yo Vivia en Londres.
I was having lunch - estaba almorzando
Can be used to describe past continuous that describe background information
I was playing and all of a sudden my friend collapsed.
Estaba jugando y de repente mi amigo se derrumbó
Can be used to describe actions that took place all the time in the past. I used to ....
I used to visit my grandmother every saturday- Visitaba mi Abuela todos los sábados
When referring to age:
When I was 16 I used to play football- Cuando tenía 16 años jugaba el fútbol
When referring to personal characteristics:-
Cuando era Niño era travieso y simpático
The imperfect used to refer to weather
Estaba lluviendo hacia sol
For time always use
I was 1 o'clock - Era la una
I was 5 o'clock when she came in - Eran las cinca cuando Ella entró a dentro