abstenerse Preterite Conjugation
abstenerse — to refrain
The preterite uses the 'uv' stem: me abstuve, te abstuviste, se abstuvo.
abstenerse Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite for a specific instance where you successfully resisted a temptation or chose not to participate in an event.
Notes on abstenerse in the Preterite
This verb follows the 'u-stem' irregular pattern of 'tener'. It does not use standard -er endings and has no accents.
Example Sentences
Me abstuve de comprar el coche nuevo.
I refrained from buying the new car.
yo
El senador se abstuvo en la votación final.
The senator abstained in the final vote.
él/ella/usted
Nos abstuvimos de opinar para no pelear.
We refrained from giving our opinion to avoid fighting.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Yo me abstení.
Correct: Yo me abstuve.
Why: Abstenerse follows the highly irregular 'uv' pattern of tener in the past.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: me abstengo
The present of abstenerse follows the pattern of tener: me abstengo, te abstienes, se abstiene.
Imperfect
yo: me abstenía
The imperfect is regular for abstenerse: me abstenía, te abstenías, se abstenía.
Future
yo: me abstendré
The future uses the stem 'abstendr-': me abstendré, te abstendrás, se abstendrá.
Conditional
yo: me abstendría
The conditional uses the stem 'abstendr-': me abstendría, te abstendrías.
Present Subjunctive
yo: me abstenga
The subjunctive uses the 'absteng-' stem: me abstenga, te abstengas, se abstenga.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: me abstuviera
The imperfect subjunctive uses the 'abstuv-' stem: me abstuviera, te abstuvieras.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: abstente
Direct commands: abstente (tú), absténgase (usted), absteneos (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no te abstengas
Negative commands use the subjunctive: no te abstengas, no se abstenga.