Ch 9: Spanish Past Tense Conjugation
About This Chapter
Spanish Past Tense Conjugation - Chapter Summary
This basic Spanish chapter covers regular and irregular verb conjugations in the past tense. As you work through the chapter, you'll understand conjugation rules in several past tense forms, including the preterite, imperfect, subjunctive and progressive forms.
Following each lesson is a short self-assessment quiz that's designed to help you practice what you've learned and solidify your understanding of important grammar rules. We've made these lessons available on any device, which enables you to study at home, at school, in the office or when you're on-the-go. Studying these lessons will help you:
- Conjugate several past tense verbs in preterite and imperfect forms, including ''abrir'', ''acordarse'', ''bailar'', ''buscar'', ''caer'', ''conducir'', ''conseguir'', ''correr'', ''creer'', ''ser'' and ''tener''
- Understand the past, subjunctive and progressive conjugation for the verb ''dar''
- Know the rules for conjugating regular and irregular Spanish verbs in the past tense
1. Abrir Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
In this lesson, you will learn how to use the verb ''abrir'' in the preterite and imperfect tenses. ''Abrir'' means to open, and you will see it used in real life in the past tense.
2. Acordarse Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
In this lesson you will learn how to conjugate the reflexive verb ''acordarse'' ('to remember') in the preterite and imperfect. You will also review how to use reflexive pronouns.
3. Bailar Past Tense Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
The Spanish verb ''bailar'' means to dance. In this lesson, we look at how to conjugate this verb in the two past tenses: the preterite tense and the imperfect tense.
4. Buscar Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
In this lesson, you will learn how to use the verb ''buscar'' in the preterite and imperfect tenses. ''Buscar'' means 'to look for' or 'to search for'. You will see it used in the real world in the past tenses.
5. Caer Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
This lesson will teach you how to tell everyone about those epic falls in Spanish, using the verb ''caer'' in the two past tenses: the preterite and the imperfect.
6. Conducir Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
In this lesson, we will learn how to use the verb 'conducir,' which means 'to drive.' We will learn to conjugate the verb in the preterite and imperfect tenses, and we'll see examples of the verb used in real life.
7. Conseguir: Preterite & Imperfect
In this lesson the verb ''conseguir'' (to get, obtain, achieve) is taking center stage. We will learn how to conjugate the preterite as well as imperfect past tense forms of ''conseguir'' and have some fun meeting cocky Mister Lopez from Spain in the process.
8. Correr Past Tense Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
In this lesson, you will learn how to conjugate the verb 'correr' (to run) in the preterite and the imperfect. You will also learn the differences in meaning between one type of past tense and the other--an important distinction to make!
9. Creer in Spanish: Preterite & Imperfect
How do you conjugate the verb ''creer'' (to believe, think, trust, hope) in both the preterite and the imperfect tenses? We will expand our vocabulary and review when which tense needs to be used.
10. Dar Imperfect Conjugation: Past, Subjunctive & Progressive
This lesson focuses on the Spanish verb ''dar'', which means 'to give' but has some other meanings depending on the context. We will analyze its imperfect conjugation, which allows us to describe past experiences, express wishes and surprise.
11. Ser Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
So you know exactly when to use 'ser' (to be) in the preterite or imperfect tense, this lesson gives you the respective conjugations and illustrates both uses to get you using the language right away.
12. Tener Past Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
This lesson covers the Spanish verb ''tener'' ('to have'). You will learn how to use it in two of the past tenses, specifically the preterite and the imperfect, as well as how to use it in context.
13. Ver Past Tense Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
The verb ''ver'' is very common in Spanish. This lesson covers its most common uses and teaches you when to use the preterite as opposed to the imperfect tense. You will be using this verb in no time!
14. Poder Conjugation: Imperfect, Preterite & Pluperfect Tenses
''Poder'' means 'can' or 'to be able to' in Spanish. In this lesson, you will learn how to use this verb in the past in different tenses through relevant contexts and examples.
15. Traer Conjugation in Imperfect & Pluperfect Tenses
We carry and bring things with us all the time. In this Spanish lesson you will learn how to use the verb ''traer'' (to bring) in two past tenses - the imperfect and the pluperfect - through examples from daily life situations.
16. Salir Spanish Past Tense Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
In this lesson we we'll study the Spanish verb ''salir'', which means 'to go out' or 'to leave a place'. Learn how to use it in the past, specifically in the preterite and the imperfect, through relevant examples from daily life situations.
17. Empezar Past Tense Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
The verb 'to start' in Spanish is ''empezar''. In this lesson you'll learn how to conjugate ''empezar'' in the preterite and imperfect tenses. You'll also see examples of how to use the verb.
18. Querer Past Tense Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
The verb ''querer'' means 'to want' or 'to love' in Spanish. In this lesson, you'll learn how to conjugate ''querer'' in the preterite and imperfect tenses, which are both forms of the past tense. You'll also see examples of how to use the verb.
19. Oir Past Tense Conjugation: Preterite, Imperfect & Participle
Learn how to adequately use the Spanish verb 'oir' (to hear) in this lesson. We will analyze its conjugation in three different past tenses--the preterite, the imperfect and the present perfect--as well as its use in real-life conversations.
20. Mirar Preterite Conjugation
''Mirar'' in its preterite form allows you to say things like 'I watched, I looked at'. We learn this conjugation today through practical examples we bring from real life Spanish as we explore different scenarios in some Spanish-speaking countries.
21. Escribir Past Tense Conjugation: Preterite, Imperfect & Participle
The verb ''escribir'' means 'to write' in Spanish. In this lesson, you will learn how to use ''escribir'' in the preterite and imperfect tenses. You will also learn how to create its participle. And lastly, you will see some examples of how to use the verb.
22. Jugar Past Tense Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
This lesson covers the Spanish verb 'jugar', which means 'to play' (a sport or game). We will study two of its past tense conjugations so that you will be able to talk about games and sports you played or used to play in the past.
23. Caminar Imperfect Conjugation
The verb 'to walk' in Spanish is ''caminar''. In this lesson you will learn how to conjugate ''caminar'' in the imperfect. You will also see examples of how to use the verb.
24. Llamar Preterite Conjugation
Cellphones are essential tools nowadays, and when we make a call, we identify ourselves with the name our parents called us. What does one thing have to do with the other? Both cases use the verb ''llamar'', which we learn in its past form in this lesson.
25. Viajar Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
The verb ''viajar'' means 'to travel' in Spanish. In this lesson, you will learn how to conjugate ''viajar'' in the preterite and imperfect tenses. You will also see examples of how to use this verb.
26. Divertirse Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
Did you do anything fun last weekend? Talk about your experiences and fun moments with the verb 'divertirse.' In this lesson, you will learn how to conjugate it in the past tense, specifically in the preterite and the imperfect.
27. Llegar Past Tense Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
This lesson focuses on the Spanish verb ''llegar'', which means 'to arrive'. Learn how to talk about past actions and when to use the preterite or the imperfect through common examples from real life.
28. Leer Conjugation: Preterite, Imperfect & Past Participle
Do you like to read? Then you need to know the verb leer. In this lesson, you will learn how to conjugate leer in the preterite and imperfect tenses. You will also learn the past participle for leer, and see how to use this verb in example sentences.
29. Construir Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
Let's build our knowledge! The verb ''construir'' means to build or to construct. In this lesson, you will learn how to conjugate this verb in the preterite and imperfect tense, and see several examples of it in use.
30. Pedir Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
The Spanish verb ''pedir'' means 'to ask for' or 'to order', but it can also be used in plenty of expressions. In this lesson we study its use in two different past tenses - the preterite and the imperfect - through daily life conversations and examples.
31. Beber Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
This lesson covers the Spanish verb beber, which means 'to drink.' Learn how to use it to talk about what you drank or what you used to drink in the past with the preterite and the imperfect tenses.
32. Hablar Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
What did you talk about? The Spanish verb ''hablar'' means 'to talk'. In this lesson, you will learn how to conjugate ''hablar'' in the preterite and imperfect tenses. You will also see several examples of how this verb is used.
33. Dormir Spanish Conjugation: Preterite, Imperfect & Past Participle
How did you sleep? The verb 'to sleep' in Spanish is 'dormir'. In this lesson, you will learn how to conjugate 'dormir' in the preterite and imperfect tenses. You will also learn how to create the past participle for the verb.
34. Decidir Conjugation: Preterite & Past Perfect
Did you decide on anything today? The verb 'to decide' in Spanish is 'decidir'. In this lesson, you will learn how to conjugate 'decidir' in the preterite. You will also learn the participle for 'decidir', which can be used to create the past perfect.
35. Gustar Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
In this lesson, we study the Spanish verb ''gustar'' (to like), whose structure is different from most verbs. Learn how to use it in a conversation and how to talk about what things you liked when you were a child.
36. Estudiar Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
'Estudiar' means 'to study.' This lesson provides you with the conjugation of 'estudiar' in the past, specifically in the preterite and the imperfect. You'll learn when to use each tense through plenty of examples.
37. Tomar Conjugation: Preterite & Imperfect
Taking pictures, having food or drinks, or taking the train - all these actions require the verb ''tomar'' (to take/have) in Spanish. Learn how to use it in the past, specifically in the preterite and the imperfect, with this lesson.
38. The Pluperfect Tense in Spanish
This lesson focuses on the pluperfect tense. Improve your Spanish by learning how to use this tense to talk about past actions and tell anecdotes and stories.
Earning College Credit
Did you know… We have over 200 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.
To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page
Transferring credit to the school of your choice
Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Study.com has thousands of articles about every imaginable degree, area of study and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you.
Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Basic Spanish: Help & Review course
- Conversational Spanish
- Advanced Spanish Vocabulary Words
- Spanish Food Related Vocabulary
- Spanish Grammar Rules
- Spanish Punctuation
- Spanish Tenses
- Spanish Verb Conjugation
- Spanish Vocabulary Words
- Subjunctive Conjugation in Spanish
- Conjugating Verbs in Spanish
- Spanish Word Choice
- Reflexive Verb Conjugation in Spanish
- Spanish Present Tense Conjugation
- Spanish Progressive Tense
- The Imperfect Progressive in Spanish
- Spanish Participles
- Spanish Perfect Tense
- At Work: Job Terms in Spanish
- Describing Future Plans in Spanish
- Giving Advice in Spanish
- Politics/Government Terms in Spanish
- Discussing International Politics in Spanish
- Reading Terms in Spanish
- Advertising in Spanish
- If I were... Professions in Spanish
- Social Life in Spanish
- Health and Safety Terms in Spanish
- Describing a House in Spanish
- Chores in Spanish
- Spanish Interrogatives
- Nouns and Gender in Spanish
- Spanish Special Occasion Vocabulary
