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Preterite vs Imperfect Test: Choose the Right Past Tense

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This preterite vs imperfect test helps you choose the right past tense in Spanish. Answer 20 quick questions with clear examples and get instant results to see what you know and what to review. Exploring more Spanish grammar? Practice with the ser vs estar test, sharpen decisions with the por vs para test, and strengthen sentence control through subjunctive vs indicative practice.

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1Anoche, yo ____ a mi abuela por teléfono.
2Cuando era niño, nosotros siempre ____ al parque los domingos.
3Ayer a las tres, Marta ____ su tarea y luego salió.
4El lunes pasado, ¿tú ____ al médico?
5Cuando ____ ocho años, me gustaban los dinosaurios.
6El año pasado, nosotros ____ un viaje a Perú.
7De repente, ellos ____ la verdad.
8Mientras yo ____ la cena, mi hermano puso la mesa.
9Siempre ____ chocolate caliente cuando nevaba.
10Ayer, Juan no ____ entrar porque no tuvo la llave.
11Cuando sonó el teléfono, nosotros ____ la televisión.
12El sábado pasado, él me ____ pero yo no escuché el mensaje.
13Ayer por la mañana, nosotros ____ por dos horas.
14Cuando vivíamos en Madrid, mi hermano ____ a la escuela a pie todos los días.
15Yo ____ ayudar, pero no pude encontrar el lugar.
16El partido no ____ porque empezó a llover fuerte.
17Ayer, por tres horas, ellos ____ en la biblioteca.
18El corazón de Ana ____ rápido cuando vio al perro.
19Hubo se usa para describir el clima de fondo en una narración extensa.
20Estuvo enfermo toda la semana es más natural que estaba enfermo toda la semana para un estado continuo.
Learning Goals

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify the differences between preterite and imperfect tenses in Spanish.
  2. Analyze sentences to determine the correct tense based on context.
  3. Apply appropriate conjugation rules for the preterite and imperfect forms.
  4. Evaluate narrative situations to choose the accurate tense usage.
  5. Enhance overall Spanish grammar skills through targeted practice exercises.
Study Guide

Preterite vs Imperfect Cheat Sheet

  1. Master the Preterite Tense - The preterite tense is your go‑to for actions that started and finished in the past. Picture "Fui al baile anoche" ("I went to the dance last night") - it's a one‑and‑done event! Level up your knowledge on SpanishDict.
  2. Embrace the Imperfect Tense - Use the imperfect tense to describe ongoing, habitual, or background actions in the past. For example, "Caminaba por el centro cuando vi a mi amiga" ("I was walking downtown when I saw my friend") shows an action in progress. Get more tips from SpanishDict.
  3. Spot Preterite Trigger Words - Look for time markers like "ayer" (yesterday), "anoche" (last night), and "el año pasado" (last year) to flag completed actions. These little clues help you pick preterite without overthinking. Find a full list on FluentU.
  4. Identify Imperfect Trigger Words - Words such as "a menudo" (often), "siempre" (always) and "cada día" (every day) hint at habitual or ongoing past actions. Spotting these will steer you toward the imperfect tense every time. Check examples at FluentU.
  5. Conjugate Regular -ar Verbs in Preterite - Practice with "hablar": hablé, hablaste, habló, hablamos, hablaron. Regular patterns make memorization a breeze - just swap the endings! See conjugation charts on Spanish Academy.
  6. Conjugate Regular -er and -ir Verbs in Preterite - Try "correr": corrí, corriste, corrió, corrimos, corrieron. Once you've got one group down, the other follows easily with the same logic. Practice drills available on Spanish Academy.
  7. Watch Meaning-Changing Verbs - Verbs like "conocer" and "saber" can flip meaning between tenses. "Conocía" means "I knew," while "conocí" means "I met." Dive into more contrasts at KU Grammar.
  8. Set the Scene with the Imperfect - Use the imperfect to paint backgrounds, describe weather, times, and ongoing states. "Era un día lluvioso y eran las tres de la tarde" brings your story to life. Read deeper explanations on Bowdoin.
  9. Narrate Sequences in the Preterite - String together completed actions: "Caminé al mercado, compré plátanos y regresé a casa." It's like telling a story one clear-cut event at a time. Explore more examples on SpanishDict.
  10. Practice Distinguishing Tenses - Drill yourself by labeling sentences: is the action complete (preterite) or ongoing/habitual (imperfect)? Regular practice turns these choices into second nature. Try exercises at LanguageAtlas.
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Updated Feb 22, 2026