When To Use Preterite Or Imperfect, Past Tense

Front 1

When to use the imperfect tense

Back 1

*Used when there is no definite beginning and end.

*Used for actions that were repeated habitually.

* Used for actions that set the stage for another action.

*Used for telling time, and in stating ones age.

Front 2

When to use Preterite tense

Back 2

*Used for actions that are viewed as completed. Implies that a past action has a definite beginning and end.

*Used for actions that can be viewed as single events.

*Used for actions that were repeated a specific number of times, or during a specific period of time.

*Used for actions that were part of a chain of events.

Front 3

On the following cards, are words and phrases that indicate, Preterite or Imperfect

Back 3

Study and choose whether the word or phrase is indicating that, a 'Preterite', past tense verb be used, or 'Imperfect', past tense verb be used.

Front 4

Ayer

Back 4

Preterite

Hint 4

Yesterday