atentar Preterite Conjugation
atentar — to attempt an attack
The preterite of 'atentar' is regular: atenté, atentaste, atentó, atentamos, atentasteis, atentaron.
atentar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite to talk about a specific instance of attempting an attack or trying something, emphasizing that it happened and was completed. For example, 'He attempted to enter the building' – the attempt itself is a finished event.
Notes on atentar in the Preterite
Atentar is a regular -ar verb and follows the standard conjugation pattern perfectly in the preterite.
Example Sentences
El acusado atentó contra la vida del presidente.
The accused attempted to take the president's life.
él/ella/usted
Ayer atentamos contra la rutina y fuimos al cine.
Yesterday we dared to break the routine and went to the cinema.
nosotros
¿Por qué atentaste contra las reglas?
Why did you break the rules?
tú
Ellos atentaron contra el depósito de armas.
They attempted to raid the weapons depot.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'atentamos' (preterite) when you mean 'we attempt' (present).
Correct: Clarify with context or time markers. 'Ayer atentamos' (yesterday we attempted) vs. 'Hoy atentamos' (today we attempt).
Why: The nosotros form is identical in the present indicative and the preterite, requiring careful attention to context.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on 'atentó' (él/ella/usted).
Correct: The third-person singular preterite form needs an accent: 'atentó'.
Why: The accent on the final 'o' indicates the stressed syllable and distinguishes it from other potential forms.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'atentar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: atento
Use the present 'atento', 'atentas', 'atenta' for actions happening now or habitual attempts.
Imperfect
yo: atentaba
Use the imperfect 'atentaba' for ongoing or habitual past actions and descriptions.
Future
yo: atentaré
The future tense 'atentaré', 'atentarás', 'atentará' indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: atentaría
The conditional 'atentaría' expresses 'would' actions, polite requests, or future possibilities.
Present Subjunctive
yo: atente
Use 'atente' and 'atenten' for wishes, doubts, and emotions about present or future actions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: atentara
The imperfect subjunctive 'atentara' or 'atentase' expresses past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: atenta
Use the imperative 'atenta' and 'atentad' for direct commands in Spanish.
Negative Imperative
yo: no atentes
Use 'no atentes' and 'no atentéis' for negative commands with 'atentar'.