Preterit Tense

1. Preterit Tense

2. Two Ways to Talk About the Past Preterit Completed past actions Imperfect Actions that were ongoing

3. The preterit tense is used to talk about past events unless it is important to mention that they were ongoing. Consider the following examples: He broke the window. We went to the store. My friend called. They ate out last night.

4. When it is important to mention that an event was ongoing or not completed, the preterit tense is not used. Consider the following examples: We went to Florida every summer when I was a kid. We used to sit on the porch and watch the sunset.

5. Preterit or Not Preterit? Decide whether each of the following would require the preterit tense. Manuel ate a sandwich. The students took a test. They used to go camping a lot. I hit a home run. Did you stay with your grandparents much?

7. Write a sentence in English that would require the preterit tense in Spanish. Example: I saw a tiger at the zoo.

8. Write a sentence in English in the past tense that would not require the preterit tense in Spanish. Example: We used to play Monopoly on Friday nights.

9. �ar Verb Endings in the Preterit

11. Hoy Manuel habla con Diego. Ayer Manuel ___________ con Susana.

12. Hoy Isabela busca un trabajo. Ayer Isabela _________ una mascota.

13. Hoy los muchachos juegan a b�squetbol. Ayer los muchachos _________ a f�tbol.

14. Hoy nosotros miramos la tele. Ayer nosotros __________ una pel�cula.

15. Este a�o yo estudio el espa�ol. El a�o pasado yo _______________________.

17. �er and �ir Verb Endings in the Preterit

18. Verb Endings in the Preterit