-an action that was totally completed in the past
-an action completed at a definite, specific moment in the past
the preterite tense
-an action or event that lasted for a specific period of time
-a series of action or events completed in the past
-actions or events not ususally repeated
preterite tense
Preterit
-ar
e
aste
o
amos
aron
Preterit
-er/-ir
-i
-iste
-io
-imos
-ieron
Preterit Irregular
e
iste
o
imos
ieron
-to describe continuing, ongoing actions in the past
-to indicate actions that took place on the regular basis, actions that were repeated, or were habitual or customary in the past
imperfect tense
Imperfect
-ar
aba
abas
aba
abamos
aban
Imperfect
-er/-ir
ia
ias
ia
iamos
ian
-indicate actions that will take place at some point later on, viewed from the present