Rules of Preterite/imperfect
The type used for a completed action.
What is Preterite?
I opened gifts.
Yo abrí regalos.
I used to open gifts.
Yo abría regalos.
I was born in March.
Yo nací en marzo.
I had a pet.
Yo tenía una mascota
The type which means "Used to" in English
What is imperfect
I played games.
Yo jugué juegos.
My friend was shy and nice and patient.
Mi amigo era tímido, amable y paciente.
I grew up in Downers Grove.
Me creçí en Downers Grove.
I celebrated
Yo celebré
The type used for a description
What is imperfect?
I ate cake.
We used to climb trees and play board games.
trepábamos los árboles y jugábamos juegos de mesa.
I did not move.
No me mudé.
I used to celebrate.
Yo celebraba.
The type that focuses on a action with a specific number of times or specific period of time
What is preterite?
We used to eat cake.
Comíamos pastel.
I used to be afraid of monsters.
Yo tenía miedo de los monstruos.
My friend's name was.... (use llamarse)
Mi amigo se llamaba
I blew out the candles
Yo soplé las velas
The type that means "was/were + ing" He was running.
What is imperfect?
We used to tell jokes.
Contábamos bromas.
I used to cry a lot.
Yo lloraba mucho.
I used to behave poorly
Yo me portaba mal.
I used to draw
Dibujaba