desconocer Preterite Conjugation
desconocer — to not know
Desconocer is regular in the preterite: desconocí, desconociste, desconoció, etc.
desconocer Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite to describe a specific moment in the past when someone was unaware of something or to indicate a completed period of ignorance.
Notes on desconocer in the Preterite
Desconocer is fully regular in the preterite tense. It follows the standard -er verb endings.
Example Sentences
Desconocí la verdad por mucho tiempo.
I didn't know the truth for a long time.
yo
Él desconoció a su familia en el juicio.
He disowned (failed to recognize) his family in the trial.
él/ella/usted
Desconocimos el peligro hasta que fue tarde.
We were unaware of the danger until it was late.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Adding a 'z' like in the present (desconozcí).
Correct: The preterite is 'desconocí'.
Why: The 'zc' irregularity only occurs before 'o' and 'a'. In the preterite, the endings start with 'í' or 'ie', so the 'c' stays as is.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'desconocer' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: desconozco
Desconocer is irregular only in the 'yo' form (desconozco), otherwise it follows regular -er patterns.
Imperfect
yo: desconocía
Desconocer is regular in the imperfect: desconocía, desconocías, desconocía...
Future
yo: desconoceré
The future of desconocer is regular: desconoceré, desconocerás, desconocerá...
Conditional
yo: desconocería
The conditional of desconocer is regular: desconocería, desconocerías, desconocería...
Present Subjunctive
yo: desconozca
The present subjunctive uses the 'desconozc-' stem for all forms.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: desconociera
The imperfect subjunctive uses the 'desconocier-' stem: desconociera, desconocieras...
Affirmative Imperative
yo: desconoce
The imperative uses 'desconoce' (tú) and 'desconozca' (usted).
Negative Imperative
yo: no desconozcas
The negative imperative uses the 'zc' stem: no desconozcas, no desconozca...