Que es el diferente entre el preterito y el imperfecto?

Question

I know they are both past tense, and the preterit is for past completed actions, but I am still confused when I am talking. Any suggestions?

Gracias!

Answer 1

The easiest way I have found to decide which to use is this:  Use the preterite if it is a one-time, completed action.  Use the imperfect if it was an ongoing action.  For example:  I went to the store = Fui a la tienda.  I used to go to the store = Iba a la tienda.  Another example:  We didn't talk yesterday (as in on the phone, etc) = No hablamos ayer.  We weren't talking last year (as in we were mad at eachother and weren't speaking)  = No hablabamos el año pasado.  Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Imperfecto:

amaba - I LOVED (it is finished)

amabas

amaba

amábamos

amabais

amaban

Preterito: means "past/gone"

amé - I LOVED IT (loved in the past, not anymore)

amaste

amó

amamos

amasteis

amaron

You do NOT have such differences in Anglo-Saxon languages, thus it is very difficult to make a point.

In any case, when talking (colloquially) there would be no apparent difference.

Not to worry.

But, if in literature (both prose and poem) there is a difference connected with what comes next!

Answer 3

Or, better yet

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre el pretérito y el imperfecto?