cometer Preterite Conjugation
cometer — to commit
The preterite of cometer (cometí, cometiste, etc.) indicates completed past actions.
cometer Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite tense of 'cometer' to talk about specific, completed actions in the past. It answers 'what did someone commit?' at a particular point or within a defined timeframe.
Notes on cometer in the Preterite
'Cometer' is a regular -er verb in the preterite tense. The stem 'comet-' is used with the standard preterite endings: -í, -iste, -ió, -imos, -isteis, -ieron.
Example Sentences
Ayer yo cometí un error grave.
Yesterday I made a serious mistake.
yo
¿Cometiste alguna falta en el examen?
Did you commit any offense on the exam?
tú
El sospechoso cometió el crimen anoche.
The suspect committed the crime last night.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros cometimos el error de no preguntar.
We made the mistake of not asking.
nosotros
Ellos cometieron un acto de valor inesperado.
They performed an act of unexpected bravery.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite for ongoing or habitual past actions.
Correct: For past habits or ongoing actions, use the imperfect tense: 'Yo cometía errores' (I used to make mistakes).
Why: The preterite is for completed events, while the imperfect is for descriptions and habits in the past.
Mistake: Incorrectly conjugating the 'nosotros' form.
Correct: The correct 'nosotros' preterite form is 'cometimos'.
Why: This form can sometimes be confused with the present tense 'cometemos', but the context usually clarifies the meaning.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: cometo
The present tense of cometer (cometo, cometes, comete, etc.) describes current or habitual actions.
Imperfect
yo: cometía
The imperfect of cometer (cometía, cometías, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: cometeré
The future tense of cometer (cometeré, cometerás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: cometería
The conditional of cometer (cometería, cometerías, etc.) expresses hypotheticals ('would commit').
Present Subjunctive
yo: cometa
The present subjunctive of cometer (cometa, cometas, etc.) is used for wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: cometiera
The imperfect subjunctive of cometer (e.g., cometiera, cometieras) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: comete
Comete (tú), cometa (usted), cometamos (nosotros), cometan (ustedes), cometid (vosotros) are the affirmative commands for cometer.
Negative Imperative
yo: no cometas
No cometas (tú), no cometa (usted), no cometamos (nosotros), no cometan (ustedes), no cometáis (vosotros) are the negative commands for cometer.