Which time expression typically signals the use of the imperfect tense?

Question

Accepted Answer

siempre (always). "Siempre" (always) typically signals the imperfect tense because it indicates habitual or repeated action in the past. "Siempre comíamos a las dos" means "We always used to eat at two o'clock." The imperfect is the natural tense for describing actions that happened regularly over an indefinite period.

"Ayer" (yesterday) signals a specific, completed past event, which calls for the preterite. "De repente" (suddenly) introduces an unexpected, punctual event that interrupts the flow of action, typically requiring the preterite. "Una vez" (once) specifies that something happened a single time, a completed event that requires the preterite.

Recognizing time markers that signal specific tenses is a valuable strategy for the CLEP Spanish Language Level 1 exam. Imperfect markers include: siempre (always), todos los días (every day), generalmente (generally), a menudo (often), cada año (every year), de niño (as a child). Preterite markers include: ayer, anoche (last night), una vez, de repente, el año pasado (last year), and specific dates or times.

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