The preterite or regular and stem-changing

• Express actions that are viewed by the speaker as completed.

• Express the beginning or end of a past action.

• Narrate series of past events.

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​Use the Preterite to

• Ayer

• El año pasado

• La semana pasada

• Anoche

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Common words and expressions commonly used

Notice that the 1st person plural (nosotros) does not change in -ar, -ir ending from the present. Use context to differentiate for this form.

• yo/usted/él/ella have accents

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These endings also apply when using reflexive verbs.

Ex: Lavarse > Yo me lavé (los pies)

Ex: Dormirse (o:u) > Usted se durmió

Ex: Vestirse(e:i) > Ella se vistió

The only stem-changing in the preterite is in the 3rd person singular and plural. Él/Ella/(usted) and Ellos/ Ellas.

E : I and O : U

Other common stem-changing verbs

Conseguir - to obtain repetir - to repeat

Divertirse - to have fun seguir - to follow

Morir - to die servir - to serve

Preferir - to prefer vestirse - to get dressed