Preterit versus Imperfect
Explain the difference between preterit & imperfect
2 Answers
Preterit is an action begun in the past and completed in the past. The imperfect is an action begun in the past but not yet completed (not perfected yet)
The grammar lesson "Preterite vs imperfect- differences and signifier phrases" is very very good more complete.
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It is true that for actions not yet completed the imperfect is used. There are other situations that lead to the use of the imperfect. Repeated, habitual or routine actions; events that give the background for or put into context something else that happens. I was studying Spanish when the telephone rang. (Estaba estudiando español cuando sonó el teléfono.) Also many descriptions (when referring to a person, thing or event in the past) use the imperfect such as age, phyical condition, apperarance, weather, time, mental or emotional state, and location.
