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componer Preterite Conjugation

componerto compose

A2irregular -er★★★★★
Quick answer:

The preterite of componer uses the irregular stem 'compus-' with specific endings: compuse, compusiste, compuso.

componer Preterite Forms

yocompuse
compusiste
él/ella/ustedcompuso
nosotroscompusimos
vosotroscompusisteis
ellos/ellas/ustedescompusieron

When to Use the Preterite

Use the preterite for a finished act of composing a specific piece or a completed repair that happened at a specific point in time.

Notes on componer in the Preterite

It is highly irregular. It uses the stem 'compus-' and does not have any accents on the endings (unlike regular preterite verbs).

Example Sentences

  • Ayer compuse una melodía nueva.

    Yesterday I composed a new melody.

    yo

  • El técnico compuso mi computadora rápidamente.

    The technician fixed my computer quickly.

    él/ella/usted

  • Ellos compusieron un poema para la boda.

    They composed a poem for the wedding.

    ellos/ellas/ustedes

Common Mistakes

  • Mistake: Yo componí.

    Correct: Yo compuse.

    Why: Componer follows the irregular preterite pattern of 'poner', not the regular -er pattern.

  • Mistake: Él compusó.

    Correct: Él compuso.

    Why: Irregular preterites like 'compuso' do not have an accent on the final 'o'.

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