When To Use The Preterite [+6 Examples & Quiz]

In this Spanish grammar lesson you will learn about when to use the preterite.

In this lesson you will learn about:

• when to use the preterite in Spanish
• how the preterite is used in sentences in Spanish
• how you can quiz yourself on when to use the preterite
• how you can practice with flashcards on when to use the preterite
• how and why you should use the courses of Language Atlas to learn Spanish

By the end of the lesson you will know all about when to use the preterite!

When to Use the Preterite

You will use the preterite to refer to a specific completed action in the past, or multiple specific completed actions in the past.

Here is an example of a specific completed action in the past:

mudarse

Me mudé a Ámsterdam en 2015.

I moved to Amsterdam in 2015.

This is a specific completed action in the past.

You moved to Amsterdam in 2015.

This action is done.

Here is an example of multiple specific completed actions in the past:

ir

La semana pasada fueron a un concierto todos los días.

Last week they went to a concert every day.

These are specific completed actions in the past.

Every day a group of people went to a concert.

The action is done.

Here are some words that trigger the preterite:

Example Sentences on When to Use the Preterite

This section of the lesson on when to use the preterite is about seeing it used in sentences.

This is valuable because you can improve your understanding of when to use the preterite through examples.

mudarse

Me mudé a Ámsterdam en 2015.

I moved to Amsterdam in 2015.

ir

La semana pasada fueron a un concierto todos los días.

Last week they went to a concert every day.

ir

Anoche fuimos a cenar al mejor restaurante de la ciudad.

Last night we went to dinner at the best restaurant in town.

dar

Hace unos días, David le dio todos sus ahorros a sus padres.

A few days ago, David gave all his savings to his parents.

cantar

Vosotros cantasteis en mi última fiesta de cumpleaños.

You sang at my last birthday party.

llegar

Nosotros llegamos hace dos semanas.

We arrived a couple of weeks ago.

Quiz Yourself on When to use the Preterite

At the end of every lesson you can do a small quiz.

You will see the sentences of the previous chapter.

You will either need to fill in the blanks, choose the correct multiple choice option, or both.

Once you are done the correct answer will be shown.

You can redo the quiz as many times as you want!

Time's up

How to Practice With Flashcards for This Lesson

Using flashcards is an absolute necessity when it comes to learning a language!

It is the best way to memorize what you learn, you can personalize your progression because it adapts to your actions, and all flashcards have audio to improve your hearing and pronunciation.

Please read our article on how to learn a new language for more information on flashcards and the best way to learn a new language.

There are two ways to practice with Flashcards for this lesson.

1. Anki
2. The Flashcards in our Courses

Anki is a free software with which you can create and practice flashcards.

After you have downloaded Anki for free, you can get our Spanish A2 Anki Deck.

This Anki Deck contains 3,568 flashcards with which you can practice absolutely everything for Spanish A2.

All the flashcards have text, images, explanations, and audio.

You can also use our courses that have flashcards integrated alongside lessons with audio, quizzes and much more!

However, I am sure you are wondering, what are your courses, and why should I take them?

The Courses of Language Atlas

Have you ever wondered what the best way is to learn a new language?

I have been learning languages for over 20+ years and I was always frustrated with books, courses, and classes that I had tried.

It never really seemed to work for me.

I wanted to learn a language in the most effective and efficient way, and there was nothing out there for me.

So I thought, “why not make something myself?“.

Using my experience and by doing research I created Language Atlas, a platform where people can learn French and Spanish in the most effective and efficient way.

I created free lessons and quizzes so that there would always be an easy and accessible way for people to learn or brush up on their language skills.

However, I also created courses that are much more comprehensive and in-depth.

These courses are easy to follow, clear, and allow you to become fluent in the most effective and efficient way.

The courses of Language Atlas have:

• 800+ Lessons with audio
• 800+ Quizzes
• 10,000 Flashcards with explanations, images, and audio
• A gamified way of learning a new language
• A vibrant community (including support from me)

You can register for free and try the French A0/A1 and Spanish A0/A1 Courses for free!

This includes over 60 lessons and quizzes, 500 flashcards that adapt to how you learn, and access to the community (including support from me).

All you have to do is study 30 minutes a day and you will be fluent in no time!

Don’t miss out – register for free and start learning!