This document provides examples of how to use the preterite and imperfect verb tenses in Spanish to describe past actions. The preterite tense is used to express single, definite actions in the past, while the imperfect tense expresses ongoing or habitual actions. Some example sentences are given to illustrate using each tense, along with explanations of when each is appropriate. Readers are then given practice sentences to try using the tenses correctly.

1. Using the preterite and imperfect verbs tenses

2. Preterite in context
 We use the preterite to express a single action in the
past. Such as:
 La semana pasada fuí a la playa.
 Cuando fuí a la casa de mi abuela el mes pasado
nosotros fuimos al cine.
 Nosotros jugamos al fútbol la semana pasada.
 Ellas cocinaron para la cena del Día de Gracias.
 Mi hermano y yo compramos los regalos ayer.

3. Imperfect in context
 The imperfect tense is used when you want to express
a continuous action in the past. (comparable to the use
of “used to…” and “were…” in the English language.
 For example:
 I used to play football
 Yo jugaba al fútbol.
 We used to go to the beach in the summer
 Nosotros ibamos a la playa en el verano
 She used to sing and dance
 Ella cantaba y bailaba

4. Preterite and Imperfect in context
 Mientras María jugaba con Juan, yo me caí del arbol.
( jugaba implies a continuos action while me caí (I fell)
Indicates a single action event)
 Cuando yo era niño, fuí con mi familia al museo de arte.
(again, using the imperfect tense “era” implies a continuos
action (childhood) and during that time we have a single
action event “fuí”)

5. Práctica
 You try it!
While John and Mary were playing, I spoke to my
mother.
___________________________________________
While they were talking, I wrote the letter.
____________________________________________
When I was a child, we used to go to the beach and there
I learned to swim.
_____________________________________________

6. Respuestas:
Mientras Juan y María jugaban, yo hablé con mi madre.
Mientras ellos hablaban, yo escribí la carta.
Cuando era niño ibamos a la a playa y allí aprendí a
nadar.

7. Using the preterite and imperfect
in context
I hope this explanation on the two past tenses will help
you understand their use in oral and written
expression!
Now, to become proficient we need practice!
I encourage you to used them!
Gracias!