The document discusses the differences between the preterite and imperfect tenses in Spanish. The preterite tense is used to describe quick or specific actions that occurred in the past, while the imperfect tense describes ongoing or habitual past actions. Some examples of when to use each tense are provided, along with words that typically indicate when each tense should be used.

1. A long time ago , in a galaxy far, far away

2. Pretérito & ImperfectoWARSEPISODE IMore than 500 years ago, on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, a bunch of people who called themselves Spaniards, decided to make Spanish students’ lives miserable… The English language basically uses only one tense to talk about the past: El Preterito. Spaniards decided they wanted to be different than English speakers so they created another tense to talk about the past… EL IMPERFECTO. Now a group of intrepid teachers from Seven Lakes will try to explain the differences between both tenses…MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU !!! (you are going to need it) The English language basically uses only one tense to talk about the past: El Preterito. Spaniards decided they wanted to be different than English speakers, so they created another tense to talk about the past…EL IMPERFECTO.

3. PRETERITOIMPERFECTOVS

4. WHEN TO USE THE IMPERFECTAn On going action, something that was happeningWhat one is used to doDescription in the past: AL WEPT

5. WHEN TO USE THE IMPERFECTAn On going action, something that was happeningLos soldadospaseabanpor la plaza, cuandoempezó a lloverThe Storm Troopers were walking when it started to rain

6. WHEN TO USE THE IMPERFECTWhat one is used to doDe pequeño, teníaquefregar el suelotodos los domingospor la mañanaAs a child, I used to have to mop the Floor every Sunday morning

7. WHEN TO USE THE IMPERFECTDescription in the past. Here’s an acronym to help you remember it : AL WEPT

8. AL WEPTA: age, attitude, appearanceCuando Yoda tenía 900,no le gustaba comer zanahoriasWhen Yoda was 900 years old, he didn’t like to eat carrots

9. AL WEPTL: locationLa casa dondevivíaSkywalker estabaen TunezThe house where Skywalker used to live was in Tunisia.

10. AL WEPTW: weatherSiemprequequeríasalir a la calle, hacíamuy mal tiempoEvery time I wanted to go out,It rained.

11. AL WEPTE: EmotionsEl soldadoestabatristeporque la PrincesaLeia no queríair al Promcon él.The Storm Trooper was sadBecause Princess Leia didn’twant to go to Prom with him

12. AL WEPTP: Physical traitsDarth Vader eramásalto que los niños.Siemprese vestíadecolor negro, exceptosu laser queerarojoDarth Vader was taller than theKids. He always dressed in black,Except for his laser saber thatwas red.

13. AL WEPTT: TimeEranlas dos y media de la tarde.It was 2:30 pm

14. DON’T FORGET !!!A ge, AttitudeL ocationW eatherE motionsP hysical DescriptionT ime

15. Imperfect Tense(some words that give hints that it is a repeated actions)A menudo (often)

16. A veces, algunas veces (sometimes)

17. Cada día, semana, mes… (every day, week, month…)

18. Con frecuencia (frequently)

19. De vez en cuando (from time to time)

20. Frecuentemente (frequently)Generalmente, por lo general (usually)

21. Mientras (while)

22. Muchas veces (many times)