Using the preterite tense in Spanish for completed actions in the past
El Pretérito Indefinido for completed actions
We use El Pretérito Indefinido for completed actions in the past.
It can refer to a single action or actions that happened more than once.
Nosotros nos mudamos a Londres en 2012.We moved to London in 2012.
The example above shows a single action that takes place in the past.
El verano pasado fuimos a la playa todos los sábados.Last summer we went to the beach every Saturday.
The example above shows an action that took place several times in the past.
But in both examples the actions are completed. They are no longer taking place.
There are some time phrases that will generally trigger the use of El Pretérito Indefinido
Here are some:
- El año pasado
- El otro día
- Ayer
- Anoche
- El mes pasado
- Hace 3 días
- El verano pasado
Ayer fui al cine con Daniel.Yesterday I went to the cinema with Daniel.
El año pasado Laura dio juguetes a los niños pobres.Last year Laura gave toys to poor children.
El mes pasado los artistas cantaron en Barcelona.Last month the artists sang in Barcelona.
Ustedes llegaron hace dos días.You arrived two days ago.
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