Common Spanish verbs conjugated in preterite and imperfect with a usage cue for when each past tense applies. Front: the Spanish verb form in context. Back: English meaning and which past tense rule it illustrates.
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- Ayer fui al cine.
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I went to the movies yesterday. (Preterite: completed, specific action)- Cuando era niño, iba al cine cada semana.
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When I was a child, I used to go to the movies every week. (Imperfect: habitual, repeated action)- Hizo un viaje a Europa el año pasado.
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He took a trip to Europe last year. (Preterite: specific action in past)- Hacía mucho calor ese día.
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It was very hot that day. (Imperfect: background condition)- Tuvieron un accidente ayer.
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They had an accident yesterday. (Preterite: completed event)- Tenía miedo de viajar solo.
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I was afraid to travel alone. (Imperfect: mental/emotional state)- Cuando entré, ella salió.
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When I entered, she left. (Preterite: two sequential completed actions)- Mientras yo estudiaba, él dormía.
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While I was studying, he was sleeping. (Imperfect: ongoing background actions)- Viajé a México por dos semanas.
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I traveled to Mexico for two weeks. (Preterite: action with defined duration that ended)- Vivía en Barcelona cuando me casé.
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I lived in Barcelona when I got married. (Imperfect: background circumstance at a past moment)- Vimos una película anoche.
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We watched a movie last night. (Preterite: completed action in past)- Veíamos películas todos los viernes.
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We used to watch movies every Friday. (Imperfect: habitual, repeated pattern)- Comí pasta para la cena.
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I ate pasta for dinner. (Preterite: completed meal/action)- Comía verduras cada día en mi niñez.
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I used to eat vegetables every day in my childhood. (Imperfect: habitual practice)- Conocí a mi mejor amigo en la universidad.
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I met my best friend at university. (Preterite: the moment of meeting occurred)
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