Preterite vs. Imperfect Translations
Translate into Spanish: The cat drank milk.
El gato bebió/tomó la leche.
If you were to translate this sentence into Spanish would it be preterit or imperfect? And give a reason why: I used to play.
imperfect tense - Key words: used to or a repeated past action.
Conjugate abrir in the yo form in the preterit
abrí.
Conjugate hablar in the ellos, ellas, ustedes form in the imperfect tense
hablaban.
What is the word for yesterday in Spanish? Would you use preterit or imperfect tense?
ayer. Preterit
Translate into Spanish: I used to play baseball.
Yo jugaba al béisbol.
If you were to translate this sentence into Spanish would it be preterit or imperfect? And give a reason why: I went to the party Sunday.
Preterit tense Reason - Single action (check mark, on timeline) in past at a certain time
Conjugate ser in the yo form in the preterit
fui
Conjugate saber in the yo form in the imperfect tense
sabía.
How do you say never in Spanish? Would you use preterit or imperfect tense?
nunca. imperfect
Translate into Spanish: I went to the movies Monday.
Yo fui al cine el lunes.
If you were to translate this sentence into Spanish would it be preterit or imperfect? And give a reason why. My mom asked me if I like scary movies.
Preterit tense Reason - Single action
Conjugate estar in the él, ella, Usted form in the preterit
estuvo
Conjugate mirar in the tú form in the imperfect tense
mirabas
How do you say last week in Spanish? Would you use preterit or imperfect tense?
semana pasada. Preterit
Translate into Spanish: I saw the cat, it was eating the food.
Yo vi el gato, comía la comida.
If you were to translate this sentence into Spanish would it be preterit or imperfect? And then give a reason why. He was very hungry.
Imperfect tense Reason - Physical Description or a condition (to checkmark/timeline)
Conjugate tocar in the nosotros form in the preterit
tocamos
Conjugate querer in the nosotros form in the imperfect tense
queríamos.
What does de vez en cuando mean in English? Would you use preterit or imperfect tense?
from time to time. Imperfect
Translate into Spanish: When he was 5 he lived in New York.
Cuando él tenía cinco años vivía en Nueva York.
If you were to translate this sentence into Spanish would it be preterit or imperfect? And then give a reason why. I was eating a banana and then my cell phone rang. (Two verbs and two reasons)
Imprefect tense Reason - key ending -ing 2nd verb Preterite tense Reason - Interruption
Conjugate llegar in the yo form in the preterit
llegué
Conjugate ver in the tú form in the imperfect tense
veías.
What does frecuentemente mean in English? Would you use the preterit or imperfect?
frequently/often. Imperfect