Lesson Topics
Preterite vs Imperfect: Part III
Notes:
- The written lesson is below.
- Links to quizzes, tests, etc. are to the left.
You have already learned that the preterite and the imperfect are used in different situations. The preterite is used for actions that are viewed as completed, while the imperfect is used for actions that did not have a definite beginning or a definite end.
贰蝉迟耻诲颈茅 dos horas.
I studied two hours.
(completed action)Yo estudiaba antes de los ex谩menes.
I used to study before the tests.
(no definite beginning or end)
Some verbs actually change meaning, depending upon whether they are used in the preterite or the imperfect. This is not surprising, since the difference in meaning can be traced back to the different way in which these two past tenses are used.
conocer
颁辞苍辞肠铆 a Juan hace cinco a帽os.
I met Juan five years ago.
(completed action)En aquella 茅poca 肠辞苍辞肠铆补尘辞蝉 muy bien la ciudad.
At that time we knew the city very well.
(no definite beginning or end)
querer
惭补谤铆补 quiso comprar la casa.
Maria tried to buy the house.
(completed action)Juan 辩耻别谤铆补 comprar la casa.
Juan wanted to buy the house.
(no definite beginning or end)
no querer
惭补谤铆补 no quiso comprar la casa.
Maria refused to buy the house.
(completed action)Juan no 辩耻别谤铆补 comprar la casa.
Juan did not want to buy the house.
(no definite beginning or end)
saber
惭补谤铆补 lo supo ayer.
Maria found out yesterday.
(completed action)Juan 蝉补产铆补 que 惭补谤铆补 ven铆a.
Juan knew that Maria was coming.
(no definite beginning or end)
poder
惭补谤铆补 pudo levantar la mesa.
Maria succeeded in lifting the table.
(completed action)Juan 辫辞诲铆补 participar en la manifestaci贸n.
Juan was able to participate in the demonstration.
(no definite beginning or end)
tener
惭补谤铆补 tuvo una carta de su mam谩.
Maria received a letter from her mom.
(completed action)Juan 迟别苍铆补 un coche nuevo.
Juan used to have a new car.
(no definite beginning or end)
