Imperfect vs Preterite

Question

Hey guys,

When I was in Spanish 2 my teacher taught us that whether or not to use the imperfect or teh preterite depends upon the time frame in which it is being used. But, my new teacher this year says that the time frame doesn't really matter, it's just the normal rules.

Does that make sense''''? I blab a lot, sorry

For Example:
If I wanted to say:
it rained last night
Would it be,
Llovió anoche
Or,
Llovía anoche
¿''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''?
Just curious on your opinions

Thanks in advance,

James

Answer 1

Hope (Kari) said:

---|Preterite is used for... ---|-specific time for event, one time event, sequential actions

It can also be used for weather, time, dates in the past, events that happened more than once, and events that happened over a period of time.

Hope (Kari) said:

---|Imperfect used for... ---|-weather, time, and dates in the past, events that happen more than once, events that happened over a period of time, setting a scene, and describing people. Imperfect is used when you want to add was/were before the verb(ex. was walking;were swimmimg;was jumping)

Imperfect can also be used with one time events.

Answer 2

Preterite vs. Imperfect
---|Preterite is used for...
---|-specific time for event, one time event, sequential actions
---|Imperfect used for...
---|-weather, time, and dates in the past, events that happen more than once, events that happened over a period of time, setting a scene, and describing people. Imperfect is used when you want to add was/were before the verb(ex. was walking;were swimmimg;was jumping)

For your specific example it would be "Llovio anoche". Anoche is a specific time. But you could also use the imperfect when trying to say "it was raining last night" I can help you more if needed. ---|Hope (Kari)

Answer 3

The time frame has nothing to do with it, unless you mean time frame and lack of one.

Imperfect is to picture past actions from inside, as if you were there, with total disregard about their start or end.
Preterite is used when you contemplate the whole finished action (with clear boundaries) from an outside perspective.

Both tenses are correct, but "llovió" sounds like a mere mention of a past finished event, whereas "llovía" makes us go back to that moment, and visualize the rain falling... making us disregard when did it stop.

Answer 4

llovía anoche... because you use imperfect with weather..

Good Luck

Answer 5

lazarus1907 said:

The time frame has nothing to do with it, unless you mean time frame and lack of one.Imperfect is to picture past actions from inside, as if you were there, with total disregard about their start or end.Preterite is used when you contemplate the whole finished action (with clear boundaries) from an outside perspective.Both tenses are correct, but "llovió" sounds like a mere mention of a past finished event, whereas "llovía" makes us go back to that moment, and visualize the rain falling... making us disregard when did it stop.

Lazarus, I like your analogies, the imperfect is like being on the inside and the preterit is llike being on the outside. I was never taught that in high school or college. I graduated from college 15 years ago and was ready to teach Spanish, unfortunatley there were no jobs ready for me and I went on a different career path. Today, I find myself "relearning" Spanish for my new job as a Spanish teacher in a small private school. I have just completed teaching my sophomores the preterit and imperfect. Now my task is to combine the preterit and imperfect. Any suggestions, ideas, contributions that you may have will be greatly appreciated. P.S. I'm working on teaching the subjunctive to the seniors. Any thoughts? Thanks, Kat

Answer 6

I strongly recommend this book for both imperfect/preterite and subjunctive (and everything else):

[url=http://www.amazon.com/Gramatica-Basica-Del-Estudiante-Espanol/dp/0536473099/ref=sr_1_1'ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235187243&sr=8-1]http://www.amazon.com/Gramatica-Basica-Del-Estudiante-Espanol/dp/05...[/url]

I've never found a book that explains these topics in a simper or more accurate manner (and I have over 20 books on these), but it is entirely written in Spanish. It is full of pictures and the exercises are extremely well designed. I am sure you can adapt it and get ideas from it.

It is also ever so expensive... - Pibosan, Feb 4, 2012

Answer 7

Thanks!! you guys are great!!!

Answer 8

If I wanted to say:
it rained last night
Would it be,
Llovió anoche
Or,
Llovía anoche

Both are correct, but mean different things. If you consider the act of raining as a completed action, use the preterit, but if the act of raining occurred while or when something else happened (if you are temporally "inside" the raining), use the imperfect.

-¿Por qué está mojada la calle?
-Llovió anoche

-¿Por qué está mojada tu chaqueta?
-Llovía (estaba lloviendo) anoche cuando regresé.