Every event theoretically has three aspects:
1. A beginning aspect (Preterite)
2. A middle aspect - imperfect aspect (was/were verb+ing) (imperfect)
3. An end aspect (Preterite)
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Preterite: 1. Definite period of time2. Beginning and end of a past action 3. Series of completed past actions that takes place in a sequence. 4. Some "clue words" like AAA anoche, ayer, ante ayer, una vez, any combination with pasado. ex: el viernes pasado, la semana pasada, el mes pasado. 5. Second of two past actions ("interrupted") |
Imperfect:
1. Indefinite period of time2. Middle of an action
3. Continous, repeated or habitual actions in the past.
4. Description: WALT-MEP: weather, age, location, time, and to describe a person mentally, emotionally and physically.
5. Used to, had, was verb+ing, were verb+ing
6. Some "clue words" like: siempre, a menudo, con frecuencia, a veces, de vez en cuando, muchas vecas, todos los días, cada día.
7. First of two past actions-actions in progress.
