arrastrar Preterite Conjugation
arrastrar — to drag
The preterite of arrastrar (arrastré, arrastraste, arrastró) is regular and used for completed past actions.
arrastrar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite to describe a completed past action with a clear end point. For example, dragging a specific object at a specific time, or completing the act of dragging.
Notes on arrastrar in the Preterite
Arrastrar is fully regular in the preterite tense. All endings follow the standard pattern for -ar verbs.
Example Sentences
Yo arrastré la silla al rincón.
I dragged the chair to the corner.
yo
¿Tú arrastraste el equipaje pesado?
Did you drag the heavy luggage?
tú
Él arrastró el coche hasta el garaje.
He dragged the car to the garage.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros arrastramos la mesa para la cena.
We dragged the table for dinner.
nosotros
Ellos arrastraron las cajas al almacén.
They dragged the boxes to the warehouse.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'arrastraba' (imperfect) instead of 'arrastré' (preterite) for a single, completed dragging action.
Correct: For a finished action, use the preterite: 'Arrastré la caja.'
Why: The preterite marks completed actions, while the imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on 'arrastró' (él/ella/usted).
Correct: The accent is required: 'Él arrastró la caja.'
Why: The accent on the final 'o' distinguishes the preterite él/ella/usted form from the present indicative 'él arrastra'.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'arrastrar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: arrastro
The present tense of arrastrar (arrastro, arrastras, arrastra) describes current actions or habits.
Imperfect
yo: arrastraba
The imperfect of arrastrar (arrastraba, arrastrabas) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: arrastraré
The future tense of arrastrar (arrastraré, arrastrarás) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: arrastraría
The conditional of arrastrar (arrastraría, arrastrarías) expresses 'would' actions or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: arrastre
The present subjunctive of arrastrar (arrastre, arrastres) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: arrastrara
The imperfect subjunctive of arrastrar (arrastrara/arrastrase) is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: arrastra
Use 'arrastra' (tú) and 'arrastren' (ustedes) for direct commands with arrastrar.
Negative Imperative
yo: no arrastres
Use 'no arrastres' (tú) and 'no arrastren' (ustedes) for negative commands with arrastrar.