Preterite (Simple Past)

Usage of the Preterite

1. Completed actions in the past For events that took place at a specific point in the past and are completed. Ayer fui al cine. — Yesterday I went to the cinema.

2. Actions with specific time references When an exact time or specific period is mentioned. El año pasado viajé a España. — Last year I traveled to Spain.

3. Sequential actions For a series of completed actions in the past. Me levanté, me duché y desayuné. — I got up, showered and had breakfast.

4. Interruption of an ongoing action The preterite interrupts an action described in the imperfect. Mientras dormía, sonó el teléfono. — While I was sleeping, the phone rang.

Distinction from Pretérito Perfecto: In Castilian Spanish, the preterite is used for completed past actions without connection to the present, while the perfect is used for actions with present relevance. In Latin American Spanish, the preterite is used almost exclusively.