configurar Preterite Conjugation
configurar — to set up
Configurar is regular in the preterite: configuré, configuraste, configuró, configuramos, configurasteis, configuraron.
configurar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite tense for actions of setting something up that were completed at a specific point in the past. For example, 'I set up the new phone yesterday' or 'They set up the party decorations last week.'
Notes on configurar in the Preterite
Configurar is a regular -ar verb and follows the standard preterite conjugation pattern perfectly. There are no stem changes or spelling changes.
Example Sentences
Ayer configuré mi nueva computadora.
Yesterday I set up my new computer.
yo
¿Configuraste la alarma para las 7?
Did you set up the alarm for 7?
tú
El técnico configuró el router la semana pasada.
The technician set up the router last week.
él/ella/usted
Ellos configuraron la aplicación en pocos minutos.
They set up the application in a few minutes.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect instead of preterite for a single completed action: 'Yo configuraba la alarma ayer'.
Correct: For a specific, completed action yesterday, use the preterite: 'Yo configuré la alarma ayer'.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions, while the preterite is for completed, single events.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the 'yo' form: 'Yo configuro'.
Correct: The preterite yo form needs an accent: 'Yo configuré'.
Why: The accent on the 'é' is necessary to distinguish the preterite 'yo' form from the present indicative 'yo' form ('configuro') and to mark the stress.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: configuro
The present tense (configuro, configuras, configura...) is used for current actions, habits, and general truths about setting things up.
Imperfect
yo: configuraba
The imperfect (configuraba) describes ongoing or habitual past actions of setting things up.
Future
yo: configuraré
The future tense (configuraré) is formed by adding endings to the infinitive 'configurar'.
Conditional
yo: configuraría
The conditional tense (configuraría) expresses hypothetical situations, polite requests, or future actions from a past perspective.
Present Subjunctive
yo: configure
The present subjunctive (configure) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty about setting things up.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: configurara
The imperfect subjunctive (configurara/configurase) is used for past hypothetical situations, wishes, or doubts related to setting things up.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: configura
Configura (tú) and configure (usted/ustedes) are the most common commands for configurar, while configurad (vosotros) is less frequent.
Negative Imperative
yo: no configures
Use 'no' plus the present subjunctive form (e.g., no configures, no configure) for all negative commands with configurar.