Is there a trick for remembering preterit vs. imperfect?

Question

I'm having trouble remembering preterit and imperfect and I was wondering if there is any trick for remebering the difference and when to use which one when.

Answer 1

Comparing The Preterit (Pretérito) and The Imperfect (Imperfecto)

Preterit – Pretérito (Past - Completed)	?	Imperfect – Imperfecto (Past - Continuous)
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This tense expresses an action in the past that was completed at some time in the past. The specific past actions will have been performed (1)- at a fixed point in time (2)- a specific number of times in the past (3)- during a specific amount of time in the past	?	This tense expresses an action or a state of being in the past that was ongoing or continuous in the past. The action(s) in the past will have these qualities (1)- they took place repeatedly in the past (2)- they were ongoing or continuous in the past (3)- they occurred over an extended period of unspecified time in the past
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This is a basic comparison. There is certainly more detail and in particular, regarding the imperfect. For the additional more detailed information and examples, see Paralee Whitmire's Reference Pages by following these links
For the preterit ----> El Pretérito , and
For the Imperfect ----> El Imperfecto

You will also find that our teacher Paralee Whitmire explains the Preterite and the Imprefect in her lesson 2.10, found here ----> Preterite & Imperfect

Answer 2

If you haven't already looked at them, try doing a quick read of the Preterit and Imperfect reference pages we have on the site.

There probably isn't a steadfast rule, but generally the imperfect can be thought of as setting the scene, where as the preterit is used to close the scene.

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Imperfect:

In General...

The imperfect can generally translate to be what someone was doing or used to do. It sets the background knowledge or scenery for a story.

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Preterit

In General,

The Preterit is used to describe completed actions in the past at specific points in time.

Answer 3

To see how the preterite and imperfect are used I think that reading is really good. Try to understand why they're used when they're used. The same goes for indicative and subjunctive usages.

Answer 4

I was looking for one of those things that make a word that stands for somethigns else. For example: PRODD is how I remeber por vs. para. Purpose Recipient Opinion Destination Deadline.

Thanks for trying though :/

Answer 5

Yes the trick is - practice, practice, practice G A M E Preterite vs Imperfect