What is the difference between preterite and imperfect tense?

Question

Is there an easy way to determine which one is which? Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

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

Preterit – Pretérito (Past - Completed)	?	Imperfect – Imperfecto (Past - Continuous)
-----------------------------------------------------	?	-------------------------------------------------------------
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
	?

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

Great answer Moe! - happyquilter, Mar 10, 2011

Great response, Moe :) - FELIZ77, Mar 10, 2011

Answer 2

Very general answer: Usually the preterite tense is used for things in the past that have a definite start and/or stop point. For example, "I washed my car yesterday."

Usually the imperfect is used for things in the past that don't have a specific start and/or stop point, or for descriptions. Example - "When I was young I used to wash my car a lot." Or, "My childhood was delightful."

To learn more, look in the reference section here at Spanishdict.com.

Good answer Happy :) - FELIZ77, Mar 10, 2011

Answer 3

The Preterite is used to describe things that are sudden, interrupting or something that isn't continuous. Like entering a room: We were having a party when suddenly, my parents walked in. Your parents walking in interrupts the party. And it isn't continuous meaning that you cannot continually enter a room. If you want to re-enter, first you must leave. The Imperfect is used to describe things in the past that didn't really have a specific occurrence. Something that used to happen frequently. It is always the thing that is being interrupted by the preterite.
Example: When I was a child, I played (imperfect) with dolls, when suddenly I didn't like (preterite) them anymore.