espanido

Tres tiempos pasadosThree Past Tenses in Spanish

What are the main differences between Pretérito Perfecto, Indefinido, and Imperfecto?

Choosing between Pretérito Perfecto, Indefinido, and Imperfecto can be challenging due to the nuance each tense conveys about the action and its context. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you make the right choice:

  • Pretérito Perfecto is often used for actions that have a connection to the present. Signal words that commonly accompany this tense include hoy (today), esta semana (this week), este año (this year), alguna vez (ever), nunca (never), ya (already), todavía (still/yet).
    • Hoy he comido pizza. (Today I have eaten pizza.)
    • Este año hemos viajado a México. (This year we have traveled to Mexico.)
  • Indefinido is typically used for actions that are viewed as completed with no relation to the present. Signal words include ayer (yesterday), la semana pasada (last week), el año pasado (last year), anoche (last night), hace un mes (a month ago).
    • Ayer fui al cine. (Yesterday I went to the cinema.)
    • El año pasado estudié en Madrid. (Last year I studied in Madrid.)
  • Imperfecto is used for habitual actions in the past, descriptions, or actions without a defined endpoint. Common signal words include siempre (always), todos los días (every day), mientras (while), de niño (as a child), antes (before).
    • De niño jugaba con mis primos todos los días. (As a child, I played with my cousins every day.)
    • Mientras trabajaba en la oficina, escuchaba la radio. (While I was working in the office, I listened to the radio.)
Tense Usage Example Signal Words
Pretérito Perfecto Actions connected to the present Hoy he comido pizza. hoy, esta semana, este año, alguna vez, nunca, ya, todavía
Indefinido Completed actions with no connection to the present Ayer fui al cine. ayer, la semana pasada, el año pasado, anoche, hace un mes
Imperfecto Habitual actions, descriptions, or actions without a defined endpoint De niño jugaba con mis primos todos los días. siempre, todos los días, mientras, de niño, antes

The choice of tense often depends on subtle nuances:

  • Context: Consider the context and whether the action has relevance to the present, is seen as completed, or describes a habitual or ongoing past action.
  • Time markers: Pay attention to time markers or signal words to determine the correct tense.
  • Nuances: Small details in the context can influence the choice of tense. For instance, estuve todo el día en casa (I was home all day) indicates a completed action with a defined period, whereas estaba en casa todo el día (I was home all day) suggests a habitual action or an action in progress.

How to conjugate regular verbs in different tenses

The conjugation of regular verbs in different tenses such as Pretérito Perfecto, Indefinido, and Imperfecto can be systematized by following specific endings for -ar, -er, and -ir verbs.

For the Pretérito Perfecto tense:

  • To form the Pretérito Perfecto, use the present tense of the auxiliary verb haber followed by the past participle of the main verb.
  • The formation of the past participle involves changing the -ar ending to -ado and both -er and -ir endings to -ido.
Subject -ar verbs (hablar) -er verbs (comer) -ir verbs (vivir)
yo he hablado he comido he vivido
has hablado has comido has vivido
él/ella/usted ha hablado ha comido ha vivido
nosotros/nosotras hemos hablado hemos comido hemos vivido
vosotros/vosotras habéis hablado habéis comido habéis vivido
ellos/ellas/ustedes han hablado han comido han vivido

For the Indefinido tense:

  • For -ar verbs, use the endings: -é, -aste, -ó, -amos, -asteis, -aron.
  • For -er verbs, use the endings: -í, -iste, -ió, -imos, -isteis, -ieron.
  • For -ir verbs, use the same endings as -er verbs: -í, -iste, -ió, -imos, -isteis, -ieron.
Subject -ar verbs (hablar) -er verbs (comer) -ir verbs (vivir)
yo hablé comí viví
hablaste comiste viviste
él/ella/usted habló com viv
nosotros/nosotras hablamos comimos vivimos
vosotros/vosotras hablasteis comisteis vivisteis
ellos/ellas/ustedes hablaron comieron vivieron

For the Imperfecto tense:

  • For -ar verbs, use the endings: -aba, -abas, -aba, -ábamos, -abais, -aban.
  • For -er and -ir verbs, use the endings: -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían.
Subject -ar verbs (hablar) -er verbs (comer) -ir verbs (vivir)
yo hablaba comía vivía
hablabas comías vivías
él/ella/usted hablaba comía vivía
nosotros/nosotras hablábamos comíamos vivíamos
vosotros/vosotras hablabais comíais vivíais
ellos/ellas/ustedes hablaban comían vivían

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them:

  • Confusing Pretérito Perfecto and Pretérito Indefinido:
    • Incorrect: He hablado con ella ayer.
    • Correct: Hablé con ella ayer.
    • Explanation: Pretérito Perfecto is used for actions tied to the present, while Pretérito Indefinido is used for completed actions in the past with no present relevance.
    • Tip: Use mnemonic devices like "He has spoken" to remember that Pretérito Perfecto connects to the present and "He spoke" for actions that are completely in the past.
  • Using Pretérito Imperfecto for Completed Actions:
    • Incorrect: Cuando era niño, nadaba en el lago ayer.
    • Correct: Cuando era niño, nadé en el lago ayer.
    • Explanation: Pretérito Imperfecto describes habitual or ongoing past actions, not specific completed events.
    • Tip: Remember "used to" for Pretérito Imperfecto to signify habitual actions: "I used to swim."
  • Mixing up Time Markers:
    • Incorrect: El año pasado he vivido en España.
    • Correct: El año pasado viví en España.
    • Explanation: Time markers like "ayer" or "el año pasado" indicate a specific time, which requires Pretérito Indefinido.
    • Tip: Common time markers for different tenses: hoy (Pretérito Perfecto), ayer (Pretérito Indefinido).

Usage Examples Three Past Tenses

  • Esta mañana he leído un libro. - This morning I have read a book.
  • Cuando eras pequeño, siempre comprabas dulces. - When you were little, you always bought sweets.
  • Cuando vivíamos en el sur, siempre llovía en marzo. - When we lived in the south, it always rained in March.
  • Leí el libro la semana pasada. - I read the book last week.
  • Hemos ido a muchos conciertos este año. - We have been to many concerts this year.
  • Cuando era joven, cocinaba para toda la familia. - When I was young, I used to cook for the whole family.
  • Hoy he comido pizza. - Today I have eaten pizza.
  • Llamabas a tu mamá cada noche? - Did you call your mom every night?
  • Llamaste a tu mamá ayer? - Did you call your mom yesterday?
  • He terminado mi tarea hoy. - I have finished my homework today.
  • He comido mucha pizza este mes. - I have eaten a lot of pizza this month.
  • Cuando era adolescente, jugaba al fútbol todos los fines de semana. - When I was a teenager, I used to play football every weekend.
  • Ellas estudiaron juntas en la universidad. - They studied together in college.
  • He visto esa película muchas veces. - I have seen that movie many times.
  • Hoy he hablado con mi madre. - Today I have spoken with my mother.
  • Cuando era niño, jugaba en el parque. - When I was a child, I used to play in the park.
  • De niño veía caricaturas cada mañana. - As a child, I watched cartoons every morning.
  • Nevó mucho el invierno pasado. - It snowed a lot last winter.
  • Comía pizza todos los viernes. - I used to eat pizza every Friday.
  • Este año hemos comprado muchos libros. - This year we have bought many books.