The preterit tense (el pretérito) in Spanish is used to indicate actions and events that took place in the past.
Subject Lessons:
Preterit Tense (el pretérito)
Regular Verbs in Preterit Tense
Irregular Verbs in the Preterit Tense
Verbs’ Spelling Changes in Preterit
Subject Exercises:
Preterit Tense Exercises
Preterite vs Imperfect Spanish Exercise 1
Preterit vs Imperfect Spanish Worksheet 2
Different usage of the preterit tense in Spanish:
- The preterit is used to describe an action that was completed in the past.
Example:
Nosotros viajamos a París el año pasado.
We traveled to Paris last year.
- The preterit is used to describe a moment/action that occurred during a specif period of time.
Example:
Yo regresé a las cinco de la tarde de mi cita.
I returned from my appointment at five in the afternoon.
- The preterit is used to describe an action/event or moment that lasted for a specific period of time.
Example:
Nosotros caminamos en el parque por una hora.
We walked in the park for one hour.
- The preterit is used to describe a series of actions/events that happened in the past.
Example:
Me levanté, bañé, vesti y salí de la casa antes de las ocho de la mañana.
I got up, showered, dressed and got out of the house before eight in the morning.
