contener Preterite Conjugation
contener — to contain
The preterite uses the irregular 'tuv' stem: contuve, contuviste, contuvo, contuvimos, contuvisteis, contuvieron.
contener Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite to talk about a specific moment when something contained something, or when someone successfully 'held back' an emotion or impulse.
Notes on contener in the Preterite
The stem changes from 'ten' to 'tuv' and uses special endings (no accents) common to irregular preterites.
Example Sentences
Contuve el aliento durante la película.
I held my breath during the movie.
yo
La caja contuvo todas las herramientas.
The box contained all the tools.
él/ella/usted
Ellos no contuvieron la risa.
They didn't hold back their laughter.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: él contenió
Correct: él contuvo
Why: Contener does not follow regular -er preterite patterns; it mimics the irregular 'tuvo' form of tener.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: contengo
The present of contener follows the 'tener' pattern: contengo, contienes, contiene, contenemos, contenéis, contienen.
Imperfect
yo: contenía
The imperfect of contener is completely regular: contenía, contenías, contenía, conteníamos, conteníais, contenían.
Future
yo: contendré
The future uses the irregular stem 'contendr-': contendré, contendrás, contendrá, contendremos, contendréis, contendrán.
Conditional
yo: contendría
The conditional uses the irregular stem 'contendr-': contendría, contendrías, contendría, contendríamos, contendríais, contendrían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: contenga
The present subjunctive is based on the 'yo' form: contenga, contengas, contenga, contengamos, contengáis, contengan.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: contuviera
The imperfect subjunctive uses the 'contuv-' stem: contuviera, contuvieras, contuviera, contuviéramos, contuvierais, contuvieran.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: contén
Direct commands for contener: contén (tú), contenga (usted), contened (vosotros), contengan (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no contengas
Negative commands use the present subjunctive: no contengas, no contenga, no contengamos, no contengáis, no contengan.