Spanish grammar
Preterite + imperfect + perfect together
Tell someone about a trip, mixing three past tenses.
From the scene ¿Qué tal el viaje? (How was the trip?)
In short
Tell a trip story with the preterite for events, the imperfect for the scene, and the perfect for this week.
- it has been ha sido
- we went / she danced fuimos / bailó
- it was forty degrees hacía cuarenta grados
- while she was dancing mientras ella bailaba
- I've eaten he comido
Your turn
Which one goes with we went / she danced?
Options: ha sido · hacía cuarenta grados · fuimos / bailó
Show answer
we went / she danced → fuimos / bailó
How it works
A trip story mixes tenses.
Good to know
The preterite for what happened (fuimos, bailó), the imperfect for the scene and background (hacía cuarenta grados, mientras bailaba), and — in Spain — the perfect for "this week / this trip" up to now (ha sido, he comido).
it has been ha sido
Nuria
Ha sido el mejor viaje de mi vida.
It's been the best trip of my life.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) el mejor viaje de mi vida.
Options: Ha sido · Fuimos · Hacía cuarenta grados
Show answer
Nuria
Ha sido el mejor viaje de mi vida.
It's been the best trip of my life.
we went / she danced fuimos / bailó
Nuria
Fuimos a un tablao. Doña Elena se levantó y bailó con los profesionales.
We went to a tablao. Doña Elena got up and danced with the professionals.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) a un tablao. Doña Elena se levantó y bailó con los profesionales.
Options: Fuimos · Ha sido · Hacía cuarenta grados
Show answer
Nuria
Fuimos a un tablao. Doña Elena se levantó y bailó con los profesionales.
We went to a tablao. Doña Elena got up and danced with the professionals.
it was forty degrees hacía cuarenta grados
Nuria
Cuando llegamos a Sevilla, hacía cuarenta grados.
When we got to Sevilla, it was forty degrees.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Cuando llegamos a Sevilla, (blank).
Options: ha sido · fuimos · hacía cuarenta grados
Show answer
Nuria
Cuando llegamos a Sevilla, hacía cuarenta grados.
When we got to Sevilla, it was forty degrees.
while she was dancing mientras ella bailaba
Nuria
Créelo. Mientras ella bailaba, todo el mundo daba palmas.
Believe it. While she was dancing, everyone was clapping.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Créelo. (blank), todo el mundo daba palmas.
Options: Ha sido · Fuimos · Mientras ella bailaba
Show answer
Nuria
Créelo. Mientras ella bailaba, todo el mundo daba palmas.
Believe it. While she was dancing, everyone was clapping.
I've eaten he comido
Nuria
Muchísimo. Esta semana he comido como Javi.
Loads. This week I've eaten like Javi.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Muchísimo. Esta semana (blank) como Javi.
Options: ha sido · fuimos · he comido
Show answer
Nuria
Muchísimo. Esta semana he comido como Javi.
Loads. This week I've eaten like Javi.
Common mistake
Not ha hecho or hace here. Describing the weather back then.
Cuando llegamos a Sevilla, hacía cuarenta grados.
When we got to Sevilla, it was forty degrees.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| it has been | ha sido |
|---|---|
| we went / she danced | fuimos / bailó |
| it was forty degrees | hacía cuarenta grados |
| while she was dancing | mientras ella bailaba |
| I've eaten | he comido |
More lines from the story
- TomásTienes que contárselo a Don Ramón también.You have to tell Don Ramón too.