Time Expressions with Preterite

In Spanish, the Preterite tense is picky. It loves specific dates and clear boundaries. Time expressions act as triggers for this tense. When you use a word like ayer (yesterday), your brain should automatically flip the Preterite switch. These expressions define a completed period. They show that the action is over and done. There is no "to be continued" here. It is like a closed book on a shelf. If you can point to a specific spot on a calendar, you are in Preterite territory. Most of these phrases sit at the beginning or end of your sentence. They provide the context your verb needs to make sense.

1. 1Using these expressions is like building with LEGO blocks. You just need to snap them into place. Here is how you structure them:
2. 2Start with your subject (optional).
3. 3Use your Preterite verb (e.g., comí, fuiste, viajamos).
4. 4Add the time expression at the end.
5. 5Example: Yo + fui + al cine + anoche.
6. 6For expressions using hace (ago), the pattern changes slightly:
7. 7Use the word hace.
8. 8Add the amount of time (e.g., dos días).
9. 9Add your Preterite verb.
10. 10Example: Hace dos días + compré + un coche.

You use these expressions whenever you want to be precise. Use them during job interviews to describe past roles. Use them when ordering food to say you liked a dish last time. Use them when giving directions about where you were. Common triggers include:

• Ayer (Yesterday)
• Anoche (Last night)
• El año pasado (Last year)
• La semana pasada (Last week)
• El lunes (On Monday - referring to a specific past Monday)
• Hace una hora (An hour ago)
• De repente (Suddenly - this triggers a sudden completed action)

Think of these as the "Done Deal" markers. If the time frame is finished, use these.

Do not use these expressions if the time frame is still open. If you are talking about "this week" (esta semana), you might use the Present Perfect instead. Also, avoid these if you are describing a habit. If you say "I used to go every day," that is a job for the Imperfect tense. These markers are not for background scenery. They are for the main action. If you find yourself saying "usually" or "always," put the Preterite away. It is like a grammar traffic light; these expressions mean "Stop, the action is finished!"

Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes, but usually, it's learners who get tripped up. The biggest mistake is forgetting the word pasado. You cannot just say la semana to mean last week. You must say la semana pasada. Another classic is using hace incorrectly. Remember, hace means "ago" in this context. Do not say dos días hace; it must be hace dos días. Also, watch out for ayer por la noche. While correct, most people just say anoche. It is shorter and sounds much more "pro." Finally, don't confuse el lunes (last Monday) with los lunes (every Monday). One is a single event; the other is a habit.

How do these differ from Imperfect triggers? It is all about the shape of the time. Preterite expressions are like dots on a line. Imperfect expressions are like long, fuzzy waves. For example, ayer is a dot. Siempre (always) is a wave. If you use ayer, you use the Preterite fui. If you use siempre, you use the Imperfect iba. Think of the Preterite as the "What happened?" tense. Think of the Imperfect as the "How were things?" tense. Time expressions are the keys that unlock the correct door.