When to use it
- Completed actions in the past
- Events at a stated time
- A sequence of finished actions
- Actions with a clear beginning or end
Pretérito indefinido
Spanish Preterite Tense Conjugation Guide
Use the Spanish preterite for completed past actions and events viewed as having a clear beginning or end.
Quick summary
This spanish preterite tense conjugation reference connects meaning to forms. Use the Spanish preterite for completed past actions and events viewed as having a clear beginning or end. Remove the infinitive ending and add the preterite endings. Regular -er and -ir verbs share the same endings in this tense.
How to form it
Remove the infinitive ending and add the preterite endings. Regular -er and -ir verbs share the same endings in this tense.
Spanish Preterite Tense examples
Hablé con Ana ayer.
I spoke with Ana yesterday.
Comimos en casa.
We ate at home.
Vivieron allí dos años.
They lived there for two years.
Regular spanish preterite tense conjugations
Compare a model -ar, -er, and -ir verb. The bold portion is the complete conjugated form.
Practise this tense with common verbs
Open custom verb practiceCommon spanish preterite tense mistakes
Incorrect: Ayer hablaba con Ana una vez.
Correct: Ayer hablé con Ana una vez.
One completed event at a finished time normally uses the preterite.
Related Spanish tense guides
Spanish Imperfect TenseUse the Spanish imperfect for ongoing past situations, descriptions, background information, and habitual actions.Spanish Present Perfect TenseUse the Spanish present perfect for completed actions connected to the present, recent events, and life experience within an unfinished time frame.Spanish Past Perfect TenseUse the Spanish past perfect for an action already completed before another past event or reference point.
Spanish Preterite Tense FAQ
What is the spanish preterite tense?
Use the Spanish preterite for completed past actions and events viewed as having a clear beginning or end.
How do you form the spanish preterite tense?
Remove the infinitive ending and add the preterite endings. Regular -er and -ir verbs share the same endings in this tense.
When should I use the spanish preterite tense?
Use it for completed actions in the past, events at a stated time, a sequence of finished actions, actions with a clear beginning or end.
How can I practise the spanish preterite tense?
Use one tense with several common verbs, answer from memory, review corrections, and return when the saved forms become due.