El Pretérito The preterite tense is used to express actions that began and ended at a definite time in the past.
We are working with “ar” verbs. You must first drop off the “ar” before adding the new ending to the verb.
Cocinar = to cook Drop off the “ar” ending. Now you are left with the stem. “Cocin” Add the new ending for the “yo” form. “é” The new form of the verb is now Cociné = I cooked, I did cook
Cocinar = to cook Drop off the “ar” ending. Now you are left with the stem. “Cocin” Add the new ending for the “tú” form. “aste” The new form of the verb is now Cocinaste = you cooked, you did cook
Cocinar = to cook Drop off the “ar” ending. Now you are left with the stem. “Cocin” Add the new ending Add the new ending for the “él, ella, usted” forms. “ó” The new form of the verb is now Cocinó = He cooked, he did cook She cooked, she did cook You cooked, you did cook
Cocinar = to cook Drop off the “ar” ending. Now you are left with the stem. “Cocin” Add the new ending for the “nosotros and nosotras” forms. “amos” The new form of the verb is now Cocinamos = We cooked, we did cook
Cocinar = to cook Drop off the “ar” ending. Now you are left with the stem. “Cocin” Add the new ending for the “ellos, ellas and ustedes” forms. “aron” The new form of the verb is now Cocinaron = They cooked, did cook They cooked, did cook (females only) All of you cooked, did cook
Cocinar To Cook Yo cocinéI cooked, I did cook Tú cocinasteYou cooked, you did cook Él cocinó Ella cocinó Usted Cocinó He cooked (did cook) She cooked (did cook) You cooked (did cook) Nosotros cocinamos Nosotras cocinamos We cooked, we did cook Ellos cocinaron, Ellas cocinaron Ustedes cocinaron They cooked, they did cook All of you cooked, did cook
Yo é
TúTú Aste
Él, Ella, Usted ó
Nosotros, Nosotras amos
Ellos, Ellas, Ustedes Aron
Ellos/trabajar trABAJARON
Yo/bailar bailÉ
Ella/escuchar escuchÓ
Nosotros/descansar descansamos
Usted/comprar compró