spanish 2 assignment 388
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
University of Alabama *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
101
Subject
Arts Humanities
Date
Nov 24, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
7
Uploaded by KidJayPerson905
Read the sentences in Spanish; then complete the summary statements to explain why the preterite or imperfect is the correct choice in each case by selecting the correct option.
1. El año pasado, no pude ir a la feria. Last year I was unable to go to the fair.
The preterite is used in the sentence to indicate an action that occurred ___.
routinely
on a particular occasion
2. Mi abuelo era muy buena gente. Era sincero y generoso. My grandfather was a good guy. He was sincere and generous.
The imperfect is used in the sentences to ___.
describe attributes
say what happened
3. ¿Qué hacías anoche cuando te llamé? What were you doing last night when I called you?
The imperfect is used in the sentence because ___.
the period of time or duration is mentioned
the verb refers to an ogoing action
4. ¡Ese viaje fue el mejor de mi vida! That trip was the best one in my life!
The preterite is used in the sentence to ___.
describe a routine or custom
sum up an experience
Gramática A
El imperfecto y el pretérito (Parte 1)
SUMMARY OF BASIC USES
The imperfect and the preterite are two different aspects of the past tense. They are used together to tell stories in the past.
This chart summarizes the basic uses that you have already studied in this and previous chapters.
Imperfecto
Pretérito
• To describe routines or customs in the past (used to / would do something)
• To focus on a completed action that occurred on a particular occasion
• To describe people, places, things, ongoing weather conditions, day, time
• To say how long the action / event lasted (por + amount of time) or how many times the action occurred (una vez, dos veces, etc.)
• To describe actions that were ongoing or taking place (was / were + -ing)
• To sum up an experience or event
Gramática A
El imperfecto y el pretérito (Parte 1)
THREE RELATIONSHIPS
The main actions of a story are generally related to one another in these three basic ways:
• Acciones en proceso y simultáneas: Use the imperfecto to describe two or more actions that were taking place (or were ongoing) simultaneously: in other words, to say that the activities were happening at the same time. Connect the two actions with y (and) or mientras (while).
Patricia miraba el desfile en la televisión mientras yo decoraba la mesa.
Patricia was watching the parade on TV while I was decorating the table.
• Serie de acciones completadas: Use the pretérito to express a series or sequence of completed actions:
in other words, to say what happened, one thing after another. Connect the actions with words such as primero, después, and luego.
Primero Ana y Luisa cenaron en un café; luego se reunieron con unos amigos.
First Ana and Luisa had supper in a café; then, they got together with some friends.
• Una acción interrumpe otra acción: One action may interrupt another that was already taking place.
Use the imperfecto to describe the ongoing action.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
Use the pretérito for the action that began, ended, or otherwise interrupted the ongoing one.
Connect the two parts of the sentence with cuando (when) or mientras (while).
Mientras veían los fuegos artificiales, empezó a llover.
While they were watching the fireworks, it started to rain.
Complete each sentence by selecting the imperfect or the preterite form, as needed.
1. I had a great idea yesterday!
¡Ayer ___ una idea fabulosa!
tuve
tenía
2. Lorena didn’t know that he was sick.
Lorena no ___ que él estaba enfermo.
supo
sabía
3. My boyfriend finally met my parents last night.
Anoche por fin mi novio ___ a mis padres.
conoció
conocía
Gramática A
El imperfecto y el pretérito (Parte 1)
SPECIAL MEANINGS
Sometimes verbs have different translations in English, depending on whether they are conjugated in the
imperfect or the preterite. This is because in English, words—not verb endings—express the difference between a description (or ongoing state) and an action.
Infinitive: conocer to know (people, places)
• A description
La conocía bien.
I knew her well.
• An action
La conocí ayer.
I met her / was introduced to her yesterday.
Infinitive: saber to know (information, skills)
• A description
Sabía cocinar.
She knew how to cook.
• An action
Supo la noticia.
She found out the news.
Infinitive: tener to have
• A description
Ellas tenían el pelo rubio.
They had red hair.
• An action
Ellas tuvieron un accidente.
They had / got into an accident.
Grammar Tutorial video: Looking at the preterite and the imperfect together
GRAMMAR TUTORIAL
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
To learn more about the preterite and the imperfect together, watch this video: