The Preterite (Past) Tense Used to talk about actions that were completed in the past. To form the preterite tense, add the following endings to the stem of the verb: -AR -ER and -IR -é -amos -í -imos -aste -asteis - iste -isteis - ó -aron -ió -ieron -AR and -ER verbs that have a stem change in the present tense do not have a stem change in the preterite tense. Generalmente me pruebo la ropa antes de comprarla, pero ayer no me probé los pantalones que compré. Ver has regular preterite endings, but no written accent marks. Anoche, David vio una camisa que le gustó mucho. Verbs that end in –car, -gar, and –zar have a spelling change in the yo form of the preterite. buscar c>qu yo busqué pagar g>gu yo pagué almorzar z>c yo almorcé ¿Pagaste mucho por to suéter nuevo? No, no paqué mucho. ¡Encontré una ganga!