Headword
 Preterite (el pretérito)
Level
 [D]
Language
 Spanish
Topic
 Grammar
Definition
 The preterite is the form of an English verb that refers to actions in the past, e.g. ‘walked’, ‘sang’.
Notes
 1. The preterite is used in Spanish to relate actions or events which took place in the past if the action/event is clearly delineated in time and is regarded as completed.

Pasó dos meses allí – He spent 2 months there.

2. The preterite is also used in a narrative to introduce all new events.

3. Although the imperfect would normally be used for repeated actions, the preterite is sometimes preferred if you want to convey the fact that the repetition is restricted:

Fue a España tres veces antes de comprar su casa allî – He went to Spain three times before buying his house there.
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Concept
 Categorisation
See also
 Aspect, Tense

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