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Preterite vs Imperfect. Learn past tense in Spanish.
1 students

Preterite vs Imperfect. Learn past tense in Spanish.

I will teach you when to use preterit and when to use imperfect with practical samples!
Created byDebi Elias
Last updated 6/2025
English

What you'll learn

  • You will learn the 2 past tenses we have in Spanish.
  • You will learn when to use preterit versus imperfect and how to combine them.
  • Example: Yo estaba (imperfecto) estudiando Español, cuando mi amiga Emilia me llamó (pretérito) por teléfono.

Course content

2 sections • 6 lectures • 30m total length
  • A message for you4:35

Requirements

  • Student must be on intermediate level
  • You must know the endings for AR, ER and IR verbs in the 2 past tenses: Preterit and Imperfect (I included them in the first section of this course for your review)

Description

As you might know, in Spanish we have two main past tenses: the preterite (or preterit) and the imperfect. The preterite is used to describe actions that happened at a specific point in time—actions that are completed and have a clear beginning and end. On the other hand, the imperfect is used to talk about past actions that were ongoing, habitual, or without a defined start or finish. It also sets the background or describes circumstances in the past.

In this course, I’ll walk you through when and how to use both the preterite and imperfect tenses. You'll learn how to recognize the right context for each, how to form them correctly, and how to combine them effectively—because using them together is what brings real fluency and depth to your past-tense storytelling in Spanish.

Whether you're just starting to learn the differences between these two tenses or you simply need a quick review of their forms and uses, this course has you covered. We'll break everything down step by step, with clear explanations, practical examples, and engaging exercises to help you master these essential parts of Spanish grammar.

By the end of the course, you’ll not only understand the rules—you’ll be able to apply them naturally in real conversations and writing.

I hope you enjoy the lessons and start using what you learn with confidence!

Who this course is for:

  • Spanish students on intermediate level who want to reinforce the lesson Preterit vs Imperfect
  • Intermediate and advanced Spanish students could find this course useful to review past tense: imperfect and preterit if they find they frequently have trouble mixing them.