demorar Preterite Conjugation
demorar — to delay
The preterite of demorar is regular: demoré, demoraste, demoró, demoramos, demorasteis, demoraron.
demorar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite of demorar to talk about a specific, completed delay in the past. For example, 'The train delayed for 10 minutes' or 'We delayed our trip yesterday'.
Notes on demorar in the Preterite
Demorar is a regular -ar verb and follows the standard conjugation pattern for the preterite tense.
Example Sentences
El tren se demoró 20 minutos.
The train delayed for 20 minutes.
él/ella/usted
Nos demoramos en salir esta mañana.
We delayed leaving this morning.
nosotros
Demoraste en contestar mi mensaje.
You delayed in answering my message.
tú
Ellos demoraron la entrega del paquete.
They delayed the package delivery.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect instead of the preterite for a specific delay: 'El tren demoraba'.
Correct: For a specific, completed delay, use the preterite: 'El tren se demoró'.
Why: The preterite marks a completed action with a clear beginning and end, fitting for a specific instance of delay. The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual actions in the past.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the 'yo' form: 'Yo demoro'.
Correct: The 'yo' form in the preterite is 'demoré', with an accent on the 'e'.
Why: The accent on 'demoré' distinguishes it from the present tense 'demoro' and indicates the stressed syllable.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: demoro
The present tense of demorar is regular: demoro, demoras, demora, demoramos, demoráis, demoran.
Imperfect
yo: demoraba
The imperfect of demorar is regular: demoraba, demorabas, demoraba, demorábamos, demorabais, demoraban.
Future
yo: demoraré
The future tense of demorar is regular: demoraré, demorarás, demorará, demoraremos, demoraréis, demorarán.
Conditional
yo: demoraría
The conditional of demorar is regular: demoraría, demorarías, demoraría, demoraríamos, demoraríais, demorarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: demore
The present subjunctive of demorar expresses wishes, doubts, or uncertainty about present/future delays: demore, demores, demoremos, demoren.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: demorara
The imperfect subjunctive of demorar (demorara/demorase) expresses past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: demora
The imperative of demorar is irregular in the tú form: demora, demore, demoremos, demorad, demoren.
Negative Imperative
yo: no demores
Negative commands for demorar use the present subjunctive: no demores, no demore, no demoremos, no demoréis, no demoren.