Difference Between Preterite and Imperfect In Spanish

Every language has different grammatical approaches to past, presence and future. All major languages spoken around the world have three tenses. Some languages delve into more detail and define each tense. For instance, in English we have past, past perfect, past continuous, present, present continuous, future, future perfect and future continuous. In Spanish, the past tense is split into two. The two past tenses are preterite and imperfect. Most verbs in Spanish can be either in preterite or imperfect past tense. The regular verbs are modified to reflect the tense.

What is Their Difference

The primary difference between preterite and imperfect in Spanish is the time and status of the task that the verb describes. Preterite tense usually depicts a completed task or action, whatever the verb stands for, and there is a definite time period either stated distinctly or implied. In imperfect tense, the verb doesn’t seem to be completed or accomplished and there is no reference to time. Preterite tense is particular about when a specific action took place. Imperfect tense is more generic in that regard.

To convert the regular verbs to preterite tense, you need to drop the ‘ar’ and add é, aste, ó, amos, asteis or aron. To convert the regular verbs to imperfect tense, you need to drop the ‘ar’ and add aba, abas, ábamos, abais or aban. Let us consider the example of ‘hablar’. The verb will become hablé, hablaste, habló, hablamos, hablasteis or hablaron in preterite tense. The verb will become hablaba, hablabas, hablaba, hablábamos, hablabais or hablaban in imperfect tense.

The verbs in preterite tense must be understood as completed and there must be a context of time. Take the example of ‘Juan habló de la una hasta las dos’ which literally means ‘Juan spoke from one until two o’clock’ in English. There is a beginning and an end. The task or action described by the verb, which is ‘spoke’ in this case, is also completed. ‘Juan habló dos horas’ which literally means ‘Juan spoke for two hours’ does have a mention of time but doesn’t directly state a start time or an end time.

This is implied timeline which is also acceptable in preterite tense. The action seems bound by time. ‘Juan habló con la estudiante’ which literally means ‘Juan spoke with the student’ is also preterite because it clearly tells you that the task is completed. There was a beginning and an end even though no time duration or start and end time is mentioned.

‘Las chicas hablaban en inglés’ which literally means ‘The girls used to speak in English’ does not have any start or finish. It is unclear if the girls still speak. This is imperfect tense of the verb.

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