complementar Preterite Conjugation
complementar — to complement
The preterite of complementar is regular: complementé, complementaste, complementó, complementamos, complementasteis, complementaron.
complementar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite of 'complementar' for actions in the past that were completed at a specific point or had a clear beginning and end. For instance, when something *finished* complementing something else.
Notes on complementar in the Preterite
Complementar is fully regular in the preterite tense. All endings are added to the infinitive stem 'complement-'.
Example Sentences
Ayer complementé mi colección con una moneda rara.
Yesterday I complemented my collection with a rare coin.
yo
¿Complementaste la decoración con algún detalle especial?
Did you complement the decor with any special detail?
tú
El color azul complementó perfectamente el vestido.
The blue color complemented the dress perfectly.
él/ella/usted
Ellos complementaron el menú con un postre delicioso.
They complemented the menu with a delicious dessert.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect instead of the preterite for a single completed action.
Correct: For a specific instance where something complemented something else, use the preterite: 'complementó'.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions, while the preterite marks a completed event.
Mistake: Omitting the accent on 'complementó' (él/ella/usted).
Correct: The third-person singular preterite form is 'complementó', with an accent on the 'ó'.
Why: The accent distinguishes this form from the present indicative 'complementa' and marks the stressed syllable.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: complemento
The present tense of complementar is regular: complemento, complementas, complementa, complementamos, complementáis, complementan.
Imperfect
yo: complementaba
The imperfect of complementar is regular: complementaba, complementabas, complementaba, complementábamos, complementabais, complementaban.
Future
yo: complementaré
The future tense of complementar is regular: complementaré, complementarás, complementará, complementaremos, complementaréis, complementarán.
Conditional
yo: complementaría
The conditional of complementar is regular: complementaría, complementarías, complementaría, complementaríamos, complementaríais, complementarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: complemente
Use present subjunctive forms like 'complemente' (yo/él/ella/usted) after expressions of doubt or desire.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: complementara
Use imperfect subjunctive forms like 'complementara' or 'complementase' for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: complementa
Use imperative forms like 'complementa' (tú) and 'complemente' (usted) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no complementes
Negative commands like 'no complementes' (tú) use the present subjunctive with 'no'.