Pretérito+vs.+Imperfecto

Imperfecto

 * == **//Here are some mneumonic devices to help you remember when to use the IMPERFECTO instead of the PRETERITO//** ==

= = || = //PRETERITO | | |// = || =EJEMPLOS= || //Mi madre ** caminaba ** con el perro __mientras__ mi padre ** preparaba ** el desayuno.// This morning, my mother ** walked ** the dog. My father ** made ** breakfast. //Esta manana, mi madre ** caminó ** con el perro. Mi padre ** hizo ** el desayno.// || //Cuando** era ** nino/a, ** ibamos ** a Cape Cod todos los veranos.// __Once__, I ** went ** to Florida. //__Una vez__, ** fui ** a Florida.// I ** was eating ** dinner when the phone ** rang **. //** Cenaba ** cuando **sonó** el teléfono.// (i mperfecto/ongoing action) ( preterito/interrupting action ) || The alarm ** rang **. I ** woke up **. I **showered**. I ** dressed .** I ** ate ** breakfast. ||
 * = //IMPERFECTO// =
 * = P rogressive= || = C ompleted Action= || My mother ** was walking ** the dog __while__ my father ** was making ** breakfast.
 * = **H** abitual= || =** I **nterrupting Action= || When I ** was ** little, we **__used to__ go** to Cape Cod __every summer__.
 * = **D** escription= || = A ctions in a Series= || It ** was ** midnight. I ** was sleeping **. I ** was ** in my bed. I ** was wearing ** pjs. My dog ** was snoring **.

setting the scene... = __I__MPERFECTO = || = = = = = = = = = = = EJEMPLOS = || =- He __was__ 14 years old.= || Estaba cansado. Tenía 14 anos. || =- while he __was studying__.= || Tomaba un refresco mientras estudiaba. ||
 * =I P-A-T W-H-A-L-E-S=
 * =__ P __rogressive - He was __studying__.= || Estudiába. ||
 * =__ A __ttire - He was __wearing__ jeans.= || Llevaba jeans. ||
 * =__ T __ime - It __was__ 2:00= || Eran las 2. ||
 * =__ W __eather - It __was__ cold. It was __raining__.= || Hacía frío. Llovía. ||
 * =__ H __abitual - He __used to play__ the violin.= || Tocaba el violín. ||
 * =__ A __ttitude and A ge - He __was__ tired.=
 * =__ L __ocation - He __was__ at the library.= || Estaba en la biblioteca. ||
 * =__ E __motions - He __was__ sad.= || Estaba triste. ||
 * =__ S __imultaneous - He __was having__ a soda=