The preterite vs imperfect distinction is the biggest source of marks lost in GCSE Spanish writing. This guide makes the choice clear with examples and exam tips.
Practice this grammar →Preterite (pretérito indefinido): completed actions with a clear end. Imperfect (pretérito imperfecto): habitual past actions, ongoing states, background descriptions.
Single completed events: Fui al cine ayer. Specific number of times: Comí allí tres veces. Actions interrupting an ongoing one: Sonó el teléfono mientras veía la tele.
Habitual actions: Cuando era niño, jugaba al fútbol. Background description: Era un día soleado. Ongoing states: Tenía doce años. Actions being interrupted: Dormía cuando llegó.
Preterite clues: ayer, anteayer, la semana pasada, el año pasado, una vez, de repente, entonces, finalmente. Imperfect clues: siempre, nunca, a menudo, todos los días, cuando era joven, normalmente.
The imperfect sets the scene; the preterite moves the story forward. Hacía sol cuando salí de casa — was sunny (imperfect) when I went out (preterite).
For the highest marks in narrative writing, use the imperfect to describe what things were like and the preterite for what happened. Mixing both tenses accurately is a key A*/9 criterion.
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Used by GCSE students and their teachers across UK secondary schools.
Start free practice →The preterite is for completed actions. The imperfect is for habitual actions, ongoing states, and background descriptions.
Use the imperfect for habitual actions (used to), descriptions, and ongoing past states. Clue words: siempre, normalmente, todos los días, cuando era joven.