comparar Preterite Conjugation
comparar — to compare
The preterite of comparar is regular: comparé, comparaste, comparó, comparamos, comparasteis, compararon.
comparar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite for a completed event in the past, such as when you compared two specific products yesterday and made a choice.
Notes on comparar in the Preterite
Comparar is regular in the preterite. Note that the 'nosotros' form is the same as the present tense.
Example Sentences
Ayer comparé las dos marcas en la tienda.
Yesterday I compared the two brands in the store.
yo
¿Comparaste las notas de la clase?
Did you compare the class notes?
tú
Ellos compararon los resultados del examen.
They compared the exam results.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Forgot the accent on 'comparo' (él/ella).
Correct: comparó
Why: Without the accent, 'comparo' is the present tense 'I compare' instead of the past 'he/she compared'.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: comparo
The present tense of comparar is regular: comparo, comparas, compara, comparamos, comparáis, comparan.
Imperfect
yo: comparaba
The imperfect of comparar follows the standard -aba pattern: comparaba, comparabas, comparaba, comparábamos.
Future
yo: compararé
The future of comparar is formed by adding -é, -ás, -á, -emos, -éis, -án to the infinitive.
Conditional
yo: compararía
The conditional of comparar uses the infinitive plus -ía endings: compararía, compararías, compararía.
Present Subjunctive
yo: compare
The present subjunctive of comparar swaps the 'a' for 'e': compare, compares, compare, comparemos, comparéis, comparen.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: comparara
The imperfect subjunctive of comparar stems from the preterite 'ellos' form: comparara, compararas, comparara.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: compara
The imperative of comparar provides direct commands: compara (tú), comparad (vosotros), compare (usted).
Negative Imperative
yo: no compares
The negative imperative of comparar uses 'no' plus the present subjunctive forms.