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Past: imperfect vs. preterite.


English speaking people are bewildered by the apparent richness of choices afforded by Spanish to describe situations in the past, through the use of past Preterite or Imperfect. However the reverse is true with the present, where English is richer. In both cases the problem is the handling of 'progressive' states or actions.

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Grammatical Notes


Question #1 - Gloss.?

nosotros a Punta del Este. un viaje muy interesante.


Question #2 - Gloss.?

lo pintoresca que esa ciudad.


Question #3 - Gloss.?

El hotel donde nos piscina y el mar a tres cuadras de la playa.


Question #4 - Gloss.?

Recuerdo como en viaje a las 10 de la mañana, a nuestros cuartos, que reservados.


Question #5 - Gloss.?

nos la ropa de la ciudad y nos la ropa de baño que en nuestras maletas.


Question #6 - Gloss.?

Después, el día asoleado, a la playa donde muchas carpas para alquilar.


Question #7 - Gloss.?

Todos los días nos temprano a la playa después de desayunar.


Question #8 - Gloss.?

Allí es donde y nos . muchos días hermosos.


Question #9 - Gloss.?

Un día, uno de mis amigos se mucho rato al sol y se mucho la espalda.


Question #10 - Gloss.?

que regresar a Montevideo porque se necesitado de atención médica.


Top



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


These are non habitual, finished events, though capable of cyclic repetitions. The Preterite is used.

Hints?

Back to question 1



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 1



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for state of affairs or habitual actions refered to a well defined interval in time.


Hints?

Back to question 1



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for state of affairs or habitual actions refered to a well defined interval in time.


When the 'states of affairs' refers only to a well defined window in time, the Preterite is used.

Hints?

Back to question 1



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 1



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


These are 'habitual' actions that in English could be prefaced by 'used to...', 'would...'(not conditional!), or 'normally,...'. The Imperfect is used.

Hints?

Back to question 1



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


The Imperfect is used when describing a 'normal state of affairs' valid in the 'past window' (even if it is still valid at the present time)

Hints?

Back to question 1



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


Hints?

Back to question 1



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


The Imperfect is used when describing a 'normal state of affairs' valid in the 'past window' (even if it is still valid at the present time)

Hints?

Back to question 2



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


Hints?

Back to question 2



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for state of affairs or habitual actions initiated in 'past window'.


Hints?

Back to question 2



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for state of affairs or habitual actions initiated in 'past window'.


When the 'state of affairs' initiates within the reference window, the Preterite is used. English tends to use a different verb altogether. Better than thinking that there is a 'change of meaning', think of English 'did get to ...'; i.e.: sabía and supe compared to knew and did get to know (learned).

Hints?

Back to question 2



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


The Imperfect is used when describing a 'normal state of affairs' valid in the 'past window' (even if it is still valid at the present time)

Hints?

Back to question 2



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


Hints?

Back to question 2



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


These are non habitual, finished events, though capable of cyclic repetitions. The Preterite is used.

Hints?

Back to question 3



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 3



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 3



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


These are 'habitual' actions that in English could be prefaced by 'used to...', 'would...'(not conditional!), or 'normally,...'. The Imperfect is used.

Hints?

Back to question 3



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


The Imperfect is used when describing a 'normal state of affairs' valid in the 'past window' (even if it is still valid at the present time)

Hints?

Back to question 3



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


Hints?

Back to question 3



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


Hints?

Back to question 3



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


The Imperfect is used when describing a 'normal state of affairs' valid in the 'past window' (even if it is still valid at the present time)

Hints?

Back to question 3



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


These are non habitual, finished events, though capable of cyclic repetitions. The Preterite is used.

Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


These are non habitual, finished events, though capable of cyclic repetitions. The Preterite is used.

Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


The Imperfect is used when describing a 'normal state of affairs' valid in the 'past window' (even if it is still valid at the present time)

Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


These are 'habitual' actions that in English could be prefaced by 'used to...', 'would...'(not conditional!), or 'normally,...'. The Imperfect is used.

Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


These are 'habitual' actions that in English could be prefaced by 'used to...', 'would...'(not conditional!), or 'normally,...'. The Imperfect is used.

Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


The Imperfect is used when describing a 'normal state of affairs' valid in the 'past window' (even if it is still valid at the present time)

Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


These are non habitual, finished events, though capable of cyclic repetitions. The Preterite is used.

Hints?

Back to question 5



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 5



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 5



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


These are non habitual, finished events, though capable of cyclic repetitions. The Preterite is used.

Hints?

Back to question 5



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 5



















































One plausible choice. Check other possibilities!


Plausible use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


These are non habitual, finished events, though capable of cyclic repetitions. The Preterite is used.

Hints?

Back to question 5



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


Hints?

Back to question 5



















































One plausible choice. Check other possibilities!


Plausible use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


The Imperfect is used when describing a 'normal state of affairs' valid in the 'past window' (even if it is still valid at the present time)

Hints?

Back to question 5



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 5



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


These are 'habitual' actions that in English could be prefaced by 'used to...', 'would...'(not conditional!), or 'normally,...'. The Imperfect is used.

Hints?

Back to question 5



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


These are 'habitual' actions that in English could be prefaced by 'used to...', 'would...'(not conditional!), or 'normally,...'. The Imperfect is used.

Hints?

Back to question 5



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 5



















































One plausible choice. Check other possibilities!


Plausible use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


These are 'habitual' actions that in English could be prefaced by 'used to...', 'would...'(not conditional!), or 'normally,...'. The Imperfect is used.

Hints?

Back to question 5



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 5



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


Hints?

Back to question 5



















































One plausible choice. Check other possibilities!


Plausible use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


The Imperfect is used when describing a 'normal state of affairs' valid in the 'past window' (even if it is still valid at the present time)

Hints?

Back to question 5



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


The Imperfect is used when describing a 'normal state of affairs' valid in the 'past window' (even if it is still valid at the present time)

Hints?

Back to question 6



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


Hints?

Back to question 6



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 6



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


These are non habitual, finished events, though capable of cyclic repetitions. The Preterite is used.

Hints?

Back to question 6



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


The Imperfect is used when describing a 'normal state of affairs' valid in the 'past window' (even if it is still valid at the present time)

Hints?

Back to question 6



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


Hints?

Back to question 6



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


The Imperfect is used when describing a 'normal state of affairs' valid in the 'past window' (even if it is still valid at the present time)

Hints?

Back to question 6



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


Hints?

Back to question 6



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


These are 'habitual' actions that in English could be prefaced by 'used to...', 'would...'(not conditional!), or 'normally,...'. The Imperfect is used.

Hints?

Back to question 6



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 6



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


The Imperfect is used when describing a 'normal state of affairs' valid in the 'past window' (even if it is still valid at the present time)

Hints?

Back to question 6



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


Hints?

Back to question 6



















































One plausible choice. Check other possibilities!


Plausible use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


These are 'habitual' actions that in English could be prefaced by 'used to...', 'would...'(not conditional!), or 'normally,...'. The Imperfect is used.

Hints?

Back to question 7



















































One plausible choice. Check other possibilities!


Plausible use of verb for state of affairs or habitual actions treated as events in the past.


Sometimes the Preterite is used instead of the Imperfect for 'habitual actions' or 'states of affairs' referenced to the 'past window' because the speaker sees them as an 'event' or a 'sequence of repeated events'.

Hints?

Back to question 7



















































One plausible choice. Check other possibilities!


Plausible use of verb for state of affairs or habitual actions treated as events in the past.


Sometimes the Preterite is used instead of the Imperfect for 'habitual actions' or 'states of affairs' referenced to the 'past window' because the speaker sees them as an 'event' or a 'sequence of repeated events'.

Hints?

Back to question 7



















































One plausible choice. Check other possibilities!


Plausible use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


These are 'habitual' actions that in English could be prefaced by 'used to...', 'would...'(not conditional!), or 'normally,...'. The Imperfect is used.

Hints?

Back to question 7



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


These are 'habitual' actions that in English could be prefaced by 'used to...', 'would...'(not conditional!), or 'normally,...'. The Imperfect is used.

Hints?

Back to question 7



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 7



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 7



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


These are 'habitual' actions that in English could be prefaced by 'used to...', 'would...'(not conditional!), or 'normally,...'. The Imperfect is used.

Hints?

Back to question 7



















































One plausible choice. Check other possibilities!


Plausible use of verb for state of affairs or habitual actions treated as events in the past.


Sometimes the Preterite is used instead of the Imperfect for 'habitual actions' or 'states of affairs' referenced to the 'past window' because the speaker sees them as an 'event' or a 'sequence of repeated events'.

Hints?

Back to question 8



















































One plausible choice. Check other possibilities!


Plausible use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


These are 'habitual' actions that in English could be prefaced by 'used to...', 'would...'(not conditional!), or 'normally,...'. The Imperfect is used.

Hints?

Back to question 8



















































One plausible choice. Check other possibilities!


Plausible use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


These are 'habitual' actions that in English could be prefaced by 'used to...', 'would...'(not conditional!), or 'normally,...'. The Imperfect is used.

Hints?

Back to question 8



















































One plausible choice. Check other possibilities!


Plausible use of verb for state of affairs or habitual actions treated as events in the past.


Sometimes the Preterite is used instead of the Imperfect for 'habitual actions' or 'states of affairs' referenced to the 'past window' because the speaker sees them as an 'event' or a 'sequence of repeated events'.

Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for state of affairs or habitual actions refered to a well defined interval in time.


When the 'states of affairs' refers only to a well defined window in time, the Preterite is used.

Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for state of affairs or habitual actions refered to a well defined interval in time.


Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


These are 'habitual' actions that in English could be prefaced by 'used to...', 'would...'(not conditional!), or 'normally,...'. The Imperfect is used.

Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


These are 'habitual' actions that in English could be prefaced by 'used to...', 'would...'(not conditional!), or 'normally,...'. The Imperfect is used.

Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


The Imperfect is used when describing a 'normal state of affairs' valid in the 'past window' (even if it is still valid at the present time)

Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


These are non habitual, finished events, though capable of cyclic repetitions. The Preterite is used.

Hints?

Back to question 9



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 9



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 9



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


These are non habitual, finished events, though capable of cyclic repetitions. The Preterite is used.

Hints?

Back to question 9



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


Hints?

Back to question 10



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


These are non habitual, finished events, though capable of cyclic repetitions. The Preterite is used.

Hints?

Back to question 10



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


Hints?

Back to question 10



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


The Imperfect is used when describing a 'normal state of affairs' valid in the 'past window' (even if it is still valid at the present time)

Hints?

Back to question 10



















































Correct!


Proper use of verb for state of affairs or habitual actions initiated in 'past window'.


When the 'state of affairs' initiates within the reference window, the Preterite is used. English tends to use a different verb altogether. Better than thinking that there is a 'change of meaning', think of English 'did get to ...'; i.e.: sabía and supe compared to knew and did get to know (learned).

Hints?

Back to question 10



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of verb for state of affairs or habitual actions initiated in 'past window'.


Hints?

Back to question 10



















































Grammatical notes for the drills in this page.


English speaking people are bewildered by the apparent richness of choices afforded by Spanish to describe situations in the past, through the use of past Preterite or Imperfect. However the reverse is true with the present, where English is richer. In both cases the problem is the handling of 'progressive' states or actions.

The items covered are:


1)- The use of some terms in these explanations.


Past window is the window the speaker opens in the past to reference or decribe the action or situation; it may consist of one or several windows of definite or indefinite duration. State of affairs has an 'existential' connotation (as given by to be, or to have) or an 'inner state of mind' connotation (as given by to know, to feel, to fear). Event is a happening at a distinct juncture in time.


2)- The use of verb for event or sequence of events in the past.


Quest. 1 Quest. 3 Quest. 4 Quest. 5 Quest. 6 Quest. 9 Quest. 10

These are non habitual, finished events, though capable of cyclic repetitions. The Preterite is used.


3)- The use of verb for habitual actions in the past.


Quest. 1 Quest. 3 Quest. 4 Quest. 5 Quest. 6 Quest. 7 Quest. 8

These are 'habitual' actions that in English could be prefaced by 'used to...', 'would...'(not conditional!), or 'normally,...'. The Imperfect is used.


4)- The use of verb for normal state of affairs referenced to 'past window'.


Quest. 1 Quest. 2 Quest. 3 Quest. 4 Quest. 5 Quest. 6 Quest. 8 Quest. 10

The Imperfect is used when describing a 'normal state of affairs' valid in the 'past window' (even if it is still valid at the present time)


5)- The use of verb for state of affairs or habitual actions initiated in 'past window'.


Quest. 2 Quest. 10

When the 'state of affairs' initiates within the reference window, the Preterite is used. English tends to use a different verb altogether. Better than thinking that there is a 'change of meaning', think of English 'did get to ...'; i.e.: sabía and supe compared to knew and did get to know (learned).


6)- The use of verb for state of affairs or habitual actions treated as events in the past.


Quest. 7 Quest. 8

Sometimes the Preterite is used instead of the Imperfect for 'habitual actions' or 'states of affairs' referenced to the 'past window' because the speaker sees them as an 'event' or a 'sequence of repeated events'.


7)- The use of verb for state of affairs or habitual actions refered to a well defined interval in time.


Quest. 1 Quest. 8

When the 'states of affairs' refers only to a well defined window in time, the Preterite is used.

Back to question 1

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Glossary for question #1 - Back to question?


Glossary for question #2 - Back to question?


Glossary for question #3 - Back to question?


Glossary for question #4 - Back to question?


Glossary for question #5 - Back to question?


Glossary for question #6 - Back to question?


Glossary for question #7 - Back to question?


Glossary for question #8 - Back to question?


Glossary for question #9 - Back to question?


Glossary for question #10 - Back to question?