Difference between imperfecto and indefinido
Exercises
One of the common mistakes made by students is the difference between the Pretérito perfecto simple (Indefinido) and the Imperfecto.
For many students it is difficult to know when to use the indefinido or the imperfecto, as they both refer to actions in the past. The following table summarizes the uses of both tenses to help you making the right choice.
Lesson Outline
HideUse of Indefinido and Imperfecto
| Pretérito perfecto simple (Indefinido) | Imperfecto |
|---|---|
|
For actions that took place in the past Ellos se casaron el mes pasado. (They got married last month) |
For habits or repeated actions in the past. Yo veía a mis primos todas las semanas. (I used to see my cousins every week). |
|
For actions completed at a definite moment in the past Bailé mucho anoche (I danced a lot last night) |
For specific actions or events in the past. El parque tenia 3 bancos. (The park had 3 benches) |
|
For series of actions or events completed in the past. Entraste, miraste a tu padre y le diste un abrazo. (You entered, looked at your father and hugged him) |
To describe people or states of indefinite duration in the past with no reference to its beginning or end. Su hermano era alto. (His brother was tall). |
|
For actions that, because of their nature, are not usually repeated such as to get married (casarse), to turn a specific age (cumplir años),to realize something (darse cuenta de), to decide (decidir), to graduate (graduarse), to die (morir), etc. La hija de Ana nació en ese hospital (Ana’s daughter was born in that hospital). |
To express age in the past Mis abuelos tenían 80 años. (My grandparents were 80) |
| / |
To express time in the past Eran las 6. (It was six o’clock) |
| / |
To express a mental state or a mental action. Ella pensaba en su abuela. (She was thinking about her grandma) |
The pretérito imperfecto it is used in descriptions and to say what was happening or used to happen. The beginning and ending of the actions in Imperfecto is not specified. On the other hand, the pretérito Indefinido it’s used to talk about completed actions in the past or actions completed at a definite, specific moment in the past
Comparison of time markers
| Imperfecto | Indefinido |
|---|---|
| Generalmente / normalmente (generally) | De repente (suddenly) |
| Siempre / nunca (always/never) | Finalmente (finally) |
| Todos los días /meses /años (every day/ month/ year) | El mes pasado (last month) |
| De vez en cuando (from time to time) | Anoche (last night) |
| Antes (before) | Ayer (yesterday) |
| Mientras (while) | Entonces (then) |
| Cuando era joven… (When I was young) | En 2011 (in 2011…) |
Meaning changes in imperfecto and indefinido
The meaning of some verbs changes depending on the time in which they occur. Therefore, it is important to know what you want to express in order to choose the right tense.
Conocer (to know)
| Imperfecto | Indefinido |
|---|---|
|
To know something well: Mi amiga se conoce la ciudad al dedillo. (My friend knows the city very well) |
To meet for the first time: Le conocí en un centro social. (I met him in a social center) |
Saber (to know)
| Imperfecto | Indefinido |
|---|---|
|
To know something: No sabíamos que el trabajo era tan duro. (We didn’t know that the job was that hard) |
To know about something: Supimos del hotel por un amigo. (We knew about the hotel because of a friend) |
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