PretéritoPretérito

preteritepreterite

The preterit tense refers to a specific pastThe preterit tense refers to a specific past

action performed.action performed.

1.1. At a fixed point in time.At a fixed point in time.

2.2. A specific number of times.A specific number of times.

3.3. During an enclosed amount of time.During an enclosed amount of time.

Fixed point in time:Fixed point in time:

I I calledcalled you at you at 3:00.3:00.

Yo te hablé a las 3:00.Yo te hablé a las 3:00. He He boughtbought the car on the car on Tuesday afternoonTuesday afternoon..

Él compró el carro el viernes por la tarde.Él compró el carro el viernes por la tarde. We We sawsaw the movie the movie last night.last night.

Nosotros vimos la película anoche.Nosotros vimos la película anoche.

Specific number of actions:Specific number of actions:

I I calledcalled you you five timesfive times.. They They ateate ten sandwichesten sandwiches.. She She readread the book the book twicetwice..

Enclosed amount of time:Enclosed amount of time:

I I workedworked for for eight hourseight hours.. The movie The movie lastedlasted two and a half hourstwo and a half hours.. He He livedlived there for there for two yearstwo years..

We do not always state…We do not always state…

The qualitity of our actions. When theThe qualitity of our actions. When the

qualitity is not stated, it is generally of ourqualitity is not stated, it is generally of our

actions. actions.

1.1. I I wentwent to John’s party. to John’s party.

2.2. We We ateate at McDonald’s. at McDonald’s.

3.3. The meeting The meeting waswas boring. boring.

-ar-ar

ééasteasteóó

amosamosasteisasteisaron aron

Hablar- to speakHablar- to speak

Yo habléYo hablé Tú hablasteTú hablaste él hablóél habló

Nosotros hablamosNosotros hablamos

Vosotros hablasteisVosotros hablasteis

Ellos hablaronEllos hablaron

-er-er

ííisteisteióió

imosimosisteisisteisieronieron

Comer- to eatComer- to eat

Yo comíYo comí Tú comisteTú comiste él, ella comióél, ella comió

Nosotros comimosNosotros comimos Vosotros comisteisVosotros comisteis Ellos, ellas comieronEllos, ellas comieron

-ir-ir

íí

isteiste

ióió

imosimos

isteisisteis

ieronieron

EstudiarEstudiar ComprarComprar TrabajarTrabajar LavarLavar CantarCantar CorrerCorrer EscribirEscribir AbrirAbrir

VenderVender BailarBailar TomarTomar