PRETERITE OR IMPERFECT IN JUST TWO SIMPLE STEPS

Hi Everyone,
This is a simple yet very practical video I created by request of many of my subscribers. In this video I will share with you a very simple rule I have used with my Spanish students to help them choose easily either the Preterite or the Imperfect according to the situation. You will be surprised how something so simple will help you understand the subtle differences in use between these two Past Tenses.

If you would like me to create a video for any specific problem you have, please subscribe to my channel and let me know and I will see what I can do for you.

For a list of all my lessons classified by level and type of content, please visit my website:

http://www.esaudio.net

I would also like to thank my colleague and friend Graeme McGregor for recording the audio of this video. You can find great materials and resources created by Graeme at:

http://www.spanishtuitioncentre.co.uk

All feedback is welcome! Happy Spanish learning!
Julio Foppoli

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[esaudio]

If you want a lengthier explanation, please see me on Facebook at facebook.com SLASH jumpstartyourspanish

[ross2503]

I'm struggling to get my head around #5. Using your method, what would be put in the diary? When? For how long? Over what period did learning take place?

"It was hard at first but with the help of my teachers.." Day 1 entry: today was hard but my teacher helped me......day 200 entry: today was hard but my teacher helped me [not practical - learning was ongoing, no specific time was stated or implied only "at first" - how long did "at first" last?] so = imperfect? Am I missing something?

[esaudio]

@ross2503 See it this way... You are speaking NOW, but referring to a period back then.

When you say.. it was hard at first, but with the help of my teachers etc,,,,

You are stating that the first part was already over... Something else happened later. For that reason we use the PRETERITE. You are describing something that is already finished at that point. This is a complex concept even for very advanced students. My suggestion, work with a teacher on this. It will save you a LOT of time!

[ross2503]

@esaudio Oh yes, doh! Sometimes you just have to step back for a while (or in my case take the dog to the park haha!). Of course, it was hard at first (but that passed/ended and it became easy, you could put into the diary each time you overcame a barrier/something you didn't understand and at each point, that difficulty is now ended - preterite. Thank you for your reply!

[esaudio]

@ross2503 Great Ross! I am glad you got it! I know it can be a little bit hard to understand the logic at first, but once you do, it will save you lots of headaches! Take care and happy Spanish learning!

[bennydong456]

hi, i have two questions:

Fuimos a la escuela ayer. <--is that preterite??

Yo fui a correr a las tres. <----is that preterite??

[esaudio]

@bennydong456 Yes in both cases.

[THANUMBA1NIGGA]

@COJW516 He switched the verbs around. Notice one the first one he had "was running" highlighted. The last one he had "fell and broke" highlighted. "Was running" is imperfect and "fell and broke" are preterite.

[THANUMBA1NIGGA]

Hey, please reply. I don't understand the last question "is it finished the same moment we are referring to" and I don't understand what does it mean if the action is "finished" or not. Again please reply I have an exam tomorrow!!

[kswart14]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!! I have a test tomorrow and i had NO idea how to do it before i watched your video, now i feel completely understand it! THANKS AGAIN!!!!!!!!! GREAT VIDEO!!!!!

[BitterAlmondTea]

Whoa! This helped me out so much!!!! Thank you!

[shanandtay3]

thank you so much! i have a spanish test tma on this and this helped me soo much! i had no idea what one to use before but now i get it! hope this helps me on the test! thanks again!