convertir Preterite Conjugation
convertir — to convert
In the preterite, convertir has a stem change (e > i) only in the third-person forms: convirtió and convirtieron.
convertir Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite when a transformation or conversion was completed at a specific point in time, such as when a person changed their mind or a building was repurposed.
Notes on convertir in the Preterite
This is a 'slipper verb.' While most forms are regular, the third-person singular (él/ella) and plural (ellos/ellas) change the 'e' to 'i'.
Example Sentences
El mago convirtió el pañuelo en un conejo.
The magician converted the handkerchief into a rabbit.
él/ella/usted
Me convertí en ciudadano el año pasado.
I became a citizen last year.
yo
Ellos convirtieron el garaje en un estudio.
They converted the garage into a studio.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'convertió' instead of 'convirtió'.
Correct: convirtió
Why: Learners often forget the e > i stem change that occurs in the third-person preterite for -ir verbs.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: convierto
The present tense of convertir features an e > ie stem change in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
Imperfect
yo: convertía
The imperfect of convertir is regular: convertía, convertías, convertía, convertíamos, convertíais, convertían.
Future
yo: convertiré
The future tense of convertir is entirely regular: convertiré, convertirás, convertirá, etc.
Conditional
yo: convertiría
The conditional of convertir is regular and uses the full infinitive as the base: convertiría, convertirías, etc.
Present Subjunctive
yo: convierta
The present subjunctive uses the stem 'conviert-' for most forms, but 'convirt-' for nosotros and vosotros.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: convirtiera
The imperfect subjunctive is built on the third-person preterite stem 'convirt-': convirtiera, convirtieras, etc.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: convierte
The imperative uses 'convierte' for informal commands and 'convierta/convirtamos' for formal or group commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no conviertas
The negative imperative uses the present subjunctive forms: no conviertas, no convierta, no convirtamos.