decapitar Preterite Conjugation
decapitar — to behead
The preterite of decapitar is regular: decapité, decapitaste, decapitó, decapitamos, decapitasteis, decapitaron.
decapitar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite to describe a single, completed action in the past. For decapitar, this would refer to the specific moment someone or something was beheaded.
Notes on decapitar in the Preterite
Decapitar is regular in the preterite. All endings follow the standard pattern for -ar verbs.
Example Sentences
El verdugo decapitó al prisionero.
The executioner beheaded the prisoner.
él/ella/usted
Ayer decapitamos la rama del árbol.
Yesterday we beheaded the tree branch.
nosotros
Decapitaste la estatua por accidente.
You beheaded the statue by accident.
tú
Ellos decapitaron la flor marchita.
They beheaded the wilted flower.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing the preterite 'decapitamos' (we beheaded) with the present 'decapitamos' (we behead).
Correct: Context is key; if the action is clearly finished, it's preterite. For clarity, you could add 'ayer' (yesterday) or 'anoche' (last night).
Why: The nosotros form in the preterite for regular -ar verbs is identical to the present indicative.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: decapito
The present tense of decapitar is regular: decapito, decapitas, decapita, decapitamos, decapitáis, decapitan.
Imperfect
yo: decapitaba
The imperfect tense of decapitar is regular: decapitaba, decapitabas, decapitaba, decapitábamos, decapitabais, decapitaban.
Future
yo: decapitaré
The future tense of decapitar is regular: decapitaré, decapitarás, decapitará, decapitaremos, decapitaréis, decapitarán.
Conditional
yo: decapitaría
The conditional of decapitar is regular: decapitaría, decapitarías, decapitaría, decapitaríamos, decapitaríais, decapitarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: decapite
The present subjunctive of decapitar (decapite, decapites, decapitemos, decapiten) is used for wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: decapitara
The imperfect subjunctive of decapitar (e.g., decapitara, decapitáramos) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: decapita
Decapita (tú), decapite (usted), decapitemos (nosotros), decapiten (ustedes), decapitad (vosotros) are the imperative forms for decapitar.
Negative Imperative
yo: no decapites
Negative commands for decapitar use the present subjunctive with 'no': no decapites (tú), no decapite (usted), no decapitemos (nosotros), no decapiten (ustedes), no decapitéis (vosotros).