Preterite vs. Imperfect

PRETERITE vs. IMPERFECT

Pretérito	Imperfecto
1. Expresses specific actions or events in the past: Estuvieron contentos de verlo. They were glad to see him.	1. Describes ongoing or continuous actions or events in the past: Estaban contentos con su casa. They were content with their house.
2. Expresses a specific action or event at a specific point in time: Hoy llegó a casa temprano. Today he arrived home early. Salió a las seis de mañana. He left at 6 A.M.	2. Describes habitual or repeated actions or events in the past: Llegaba temprano muy a menudo. He arrived early very often.
3. States a particular action in the past: Tuvo un accidente. He had an accident. Hubo un choque en la intersección. There was a crash in the intersection.	3. Describes the circumstances or conditions surrounding an action (background information in the past): La carretera era peligrosa. The highway was dangerous.
	4. Describes persons, things, or states of mind: Era muy alto. He was very tall. El cielo estaba azul. The sky was blue. Creía en Dios. He believed in God.