desenvolver Preterite Conjugation
desenvolver — to unwrap
Desenvolver is completely regular in the preterite, following the standard -er ending pattern.
desenvolver Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite for a completed action of unwrapping something at a specific moment in the past.
Notes on desenvolver in the Preterite
Unlike the present tense, there is no stem change in the preterite. It behaves like a standard -er verb.
Example Sentences
Ayer desenvolví todos mis paquetes de cumpleaños.
Yesterday I unwrapped all my birthday packages.
yo
¿Desenvolviste el regalo que te di?
Did you unwrap the gift I gave you?
tú
Ellos desenvolvieron el mapa para ver la ruta.
They unwrapped the map to see the route.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: desenvuelvió
Correct: desenvolvió
Why: Learners often try to carry the 'ue' stem change from the present into the preterite, but it doesn't belong here.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: desenvuelvo
Desenvolver follows a stem change (o > ue) in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
Imperfect
yo: desenvolvía
The imperfect of desenvolver is regular: desenvolvía, desenvolvías, desenvolvía, etc.
Future
yo: desenvolveré
The future tense is regular: add -é, -ás, -á, -emos, -éis, -án to the full infinitive.
Conditional
yo: desenvolvería
The conditional uses the full infinitive 'desenvolver' plus endings like -ía, -ías, -ía.
Present Subjunctive
yo: desenvuelva
The present subjunctive follows the o > ue stem change and uses -a endings.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: desenvolviera
Formed from the preterite 'ellos' form: desenvolviera, desenvolvieras, etc.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: desenvuelve
Commands to unwrap: desenvuelve (tú), desenvuelva (usted), desenvolved (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no desenvuelvas
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive forms.