abrumar Preterite Conjugation
abrumar — to overwhelm
The preterite of abrir is regular: abrí, abriste, abrió, abrimos, abristeis, abrieron.
abrumar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite to describe a completed past action with a clear end point — opening a door at a specific moment, opening a business on a date.
Notes on abrumar in the Preterite
Abrir is fully regular in the preterite. Note that 'abrimos' is identical to the present indicative 'we open' — context tells you which is meant.
Example Sentences
Abrí la puerta cuando escuché el timbre.
I opened the door when I heard the doorbell.
yo
¿Abriste el paquete?
Did you open the package?
tú
Abrió la tienda en 2015.
He opened the store in 2015.
él/ella/usted
Abrimos las ventanas para ventilar.
We opened the windows to air out the room.
nosotros
Abristeis la conversación sobre el tema.
You all opened the conversation about the topic.
vosotros
Abrieron las puertas a las ocho.
They opened the doors at eight.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Writing 'abri' without the accent for yo.
Correct: The yo form is abrí with a written accent on the final í.
Why: The accent distinguishes the preterite yo from other forms and marks the stressed syllable.
Mistake: Confusing the preterite 'abrimos' with the present 'abrimos'.
Correct: Context is key. 'Abrimos la puerta ayer' (preterite) vs. 'Abrimos la puerta cada mañana' (present).
Why: Both are identical forms, requiring attention to time markers or the overall meaning of the sentence.
Master Spanish verbs in context
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: abrumo
The present tense of abrir is regular: abro, abres, abre, abrimos, abrís, abren.
Imperfect
yo: abrumaba
The imperfect of abrir is regular: abría, abrías, abría, abríamos, abríais, abrían.
Future
yo: abrumaré
The future tense of abrir is regular: abriré, abrirás, abrirá, abriremos, abriréis, abrirán.
Conditional
yo: abrumaría
The conditional of abrir is regular: abriría, abrirías, abriría, abriríamos, abriríais, abrirían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: abrume
The present subjunctive of abrir (abra, abras, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, emotion, desire, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: abrumara
The imperfect subjunctive of abrir (abriera, abrieras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: abruma
Use the imperative of abrir for direct commands: abre (tú), abra (usted), abramos (nosotros), abrid (vosotros), abran (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no abrumes
Negative commands for abrir use the present subjunctive: no abras (tú), no abra (usted), etc.