10.2 The Preterite and the Imperfect

Había (Imperfect b/c it describes an ongoing past action with no reference to its beginning or end - "There were many people on the street.")

(Hubo/Había) mucha gente en la calle.

empezamos (Preterite b/c it expresses the beginning or end of a past action - "We began to read it.")

Nosotros (empezamos/empezábamos) a leerlo.

Eran (Imperfect b/c it is describing an ongoing past action with no reference to its beginning or end - "It was 12")

(Fueron/Eran) las doce.

Llovía; salimos (1. Imperfect b/c it describes physical/emotional states and characteristics - it was raining when...) (2. Preterite b/c it expresses actions that are viewed by the speaker as completed - ...when we left the restaurant.)

(Llovió/Llovía) cuando (salimos/salíamos) del restaurante.

entramos (Preterite b/c it expresses the beginning or end of a past action - "At 12:30, Tom and I entered the restaurant Tárcoles.")

A las doce y media, Tomás y yo (entramos/entrábamos) en el restaurante Tárcoles.

regresamos (Preterite b/c it narrates a series of past actions or events - "So we went back to the restaurant Tárcoles."

Así que (regresamos/regresábamos) al restaurante Tárcoles.

volvió (Preterite b/c it expresses the beginning or end of a past action - "Suddenly, the waiter returned to our table.")

De repente, el camarero (volvió/volvía) a nuestra mesa.

tenían (Imperfect b/c it describes physical/emotional states or characteristics - "Unfortunately, they had no fish.")

Desafortunadamente, no (tuvieron/tenían) más pescado.

llegó (Preterite b/c it expresses the beginning or end of a past action - "The waiter came immediately to give us the menu.")

El camarero (llegó/llegaba) inmediatamente para darnos el menú.

pedí (Preterite b/c it expresses actions that are viewed by the speaker as completed - "This time I ordered chicken with rice.")

Esta vez, (pedí/pedía) arroz con pollo.

decidimos (Preterite b/c it narrates a series of past actions or events - "So Thomas and I decided to eat elsewhere.")

Por eso Tomás y yo (decidimos/decidíamos) comer en otro lugar.

almorzaba (Imperfect b/c it expresses habitual past actions and events - "Every day I had lunch with Thomas at noon.")

Todos los días yo (almorcé/almorzaba) con Tomás al mediodía.

dio (Preterite b/c it expresses actions that are viewed by the speaker as completed - "And he gave us bad news.")

Y nos (dio/daba) una mala noticia.

pedí (Preterite b/c it expresses actions that are viewed by the speaker as completed - "I ordered the fish.")

Yo (pedí/pedía) el pescado.