SPAN 211 Study Guide - Summer 2018, Comprehensive Midterm Notes - Verb, Time, Spanish Language
SPAN 211
MIDTERM EXAM
STUDY GUIDE
Fall 2018
THE IMPERFECT AND THE PRETERITE
In Spanish, choosing between using the imperfect or preterite form of the verb, both of which are
past tenses, depends on whether the action is perceived as on going/in progress or as completed at the
designated point of reference in the past. The following is a comparison/contrast summary of the different
ways the two tenses are used.
IMPERFECT PRETERITE
Action in progress or on going for an An action that occurred or was completed
unspecified length of time at a specific moment in time
De niño vivía en Atlanta. José llegó a casa a las diez.
Repeated or habitual actions (not Actions that happen a specific number of
counted) times
Los viernes yo iba al cine. Yo vi esa película cinco veces.
Background action (spans an event) Interruping actions
Yo me duchaba cuando . . . el teléfono sonó.
Mental, emotional or physical Sudden or unexpected change of state,
state or condition condition or attitude; (the focus is on
beginning or the end of an action)
(These are often reflexive verbs)
Juan estaba muy triste. Juan se puso furioso.
Simultanteous actions, two or more Sequential actions, one action begins and
actions happening at the same time ends before another begins and ends
Ella cantaba mientras trabajaba. Ella preparó un sanwich y lo comió.
Time and weather (The following verbs have special
meanings in the preterite which must
Eran las dos de la tarde. be considered before using them in the
Hacía mucho calor. preterit or the imperfect.)
Saber ➔ to find out
Conocer ➔ to meet for the first time
Poder ➔ to attempt
No querer ➔ to refuse
Querer ➔ to attempt unsuccessfully
Imperfect tense indicators Mixed indicators Preterite tense indicators
todos los días -- every day mientras -- while de repente -- all of a sudden
cada día -- every day cuando -- when en ese momento -- at that moment
siempre -- always pronto -- soon
a menudo -- often primero -- first
generalmente -- generally entonces -- then
por lo general -- generally luego -- then
todavía -- still después -- afterwards
de niño/a -- as a child en seguida -- right away
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The Imperfect tense
The imperfect tense is formed by dropping the infinitive ending (-ar, -er, -ir) and adding the
follwing endings. No verbs stem change in the imperfect. There are no spelling changes in the
imperfect other than the three irregular verbs at the bottom. All verbs are 100% regular except
for the three irregulars.
-ar -er/ir
-aba -ábamos -ía -íamos
-abas -ías
-aba -aban -ía -ían
Ver Ir Ser
veía veíamos iba íbamos era éramos
veías ibas eras
veía veían iba iban era eran
Hay in the imperfect tense is había.
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Document Summary
Yo me duchaba cuando . el tel fono son . state or condition. Actions that happen a specific number of times. An action that occurred or was completed at a specific moment in time. Sudden or unexpected change of state, condition or attitude; (the focus is on beginning or the end of an action) (these are often reflexive verbs) The following is a comparison/contrast summary of the different ways the two tenses are used. Action in progress or on going for an. Conocer to meet for the first time. Querer (the following verbs have special meanings in the preterite which must be considered before using them in the preterit or the imperfect. ) mientras -- while cuando -- when. Sequential actions, one action begins and ends before another begins and ends. Preterite tense indicators actions happening at the same time. The imperfect tense is formed by dropping the infinitive ending (-ar, -er, -ir) and adding the follwing endings.
