cagar Preterite Conjugation
cagar — to mess up
Use preterite for completed past actions: 'cagué' (I messed up), 'cagó' (he/she messed up).
cagar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
The preterite is for actions in the past that were completed. With 'cagar,' it means you messed something up at a specific point in time and it's finished. For example, 'I messed up the test yesterday.'
Notes on cagar in the Preterite
Cagar is regular in the preterite. It follows the standard -ar verb pattern: cagué, cagaste, cagó, cagamos, cagasteis, cagaron.
Example Sentences
Cagué la reunión por llegar tarde.
I messed up the meeting by arriving late.
yo
¿Cagaste el examen?
Did you mess up the exam?
tú
Ella cagó la sorpresa al contarlo todo.
She ruined the surprise by telling everything.
él/ella/usted
Los niños cagaron la fiesta.
The kids messed up the party.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'cagamos' for the preterite when it's identical to the present.
Correct: The preterite 'nosotros' form is 'cagamos,' which is the same as the present. Context usually clarifies, but be mindful.
Why: This identical form can cause confusion between a completed past action and a habitual present action.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on 'cagó' (él/ella/usted).
Correct: The él/ella/usted form is 'cagó' with an accent on the 'ó'.
Why: The accent is crucial to distinguish it from other forms and indicates the stressed syllable.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: cago
Use present for current actions or habits: 'cago' (I mess up), 'cagan' (they mess up).
Imperfect
yo: cagaba
Use imperfect for ongoing/habitual past actions: 'cagaba' (I used to mess up), 'cagaban' (they used to mess up).
Future
yo: cagaré
Use future for predictions: 'cagaré' (I will mess up), 'cagarán' (they will mess up).
Conditional
yo: cagaría
Use conditional for hypotheticals ('would'): 'cagaría' (I would mess up), 'cagarían' (they would mess up).
Present Subjunctive
yo: cague
Use present subjunctive after doubts, wishes, emotions: 'espero que cagues', 'dudo que cague'.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: cagara
Use 'cagar' imperfect subjunctive for past hypotheticals or wishes: 'si cagara,' 'ojalá cagase'.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: caga
Use 'cagar' commands directly: 'caga' (tú), 'caguen' (ustedes), etc.
Negative Imperative
yo: no cagues
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive: 'no cagues' (tú), 'no caguen' (ustedes).