Entre familia Gramática 2

Repaso: Preterite

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• Preterite

Entre familia Gramática 2

Preterite

• Use the preterite to show that actions were begun or completed at specific times in the past.

• Time markers such as ayer, anoche, este fin de semana, and el verano pasado are often used with the preterite.

Eduardo habló con Ana anoche.

Entre familia Gramática 2

Preterite

• The preterite is used with al + infinitive or en cuanto, which mark the beginning of an event or situation.

Al oír las noticias, se puso a llorar.

Upon hearing the news, she started crying.

En cuanto supo la verdad, hizo las maletas y se fue.

As soon as he found out the truth, he packed his bags and left.

Entre familia Gramática 2

Preterite

• These verbs have irregular stems in the preterite.

• The verbs ir and ser have the same irregular preterite forms: fui, fuiste, fue, fuimos, fuisteis, fueron.

quis-querervin-venirpus-poner

dij-decirtuv-tenerpud-poder

traj-traersup-saberestuv-estar

Entre familia Gramática 2

Preterite

• The meaning of some verbs can change in the preterite.

wouldn’t, didn’t mean to

do not (doesn’t) wantno querer:

tried to, meant towant(s)querer:

found out, realizedknow(s)saber:

met, first sawknow(s)conocer:

preterite present