desviar Preterite Conjugation
desviar — to divert
Use preterite forms like desvié (yo) or desviaron (ellos/ellas/ustedes) for completed past actions of diverting.
desviar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
The preterite is used for actions that were completed at a specific point in the past. For 'desviar,' this means a specific instance of diverting a call, a car, or attention.
Notes on desviar in the Preterite
Desviar is regular in the preterite. All forms follow the standard -ar verb conjugation pattern.
Example Sentences
Ayer desvié todas las llamadas a mi móvil.
Yesterday I diverted all calls to my mobile.
yo
¿Desviaste el coche por la autopista?
Did you divert the car via the highway?
tú
El policía desvió el tráfico.
The police officer diverted the traffic.
él/ella/usted
Ellos desviaron la conversación hacia un tema más ligero.
They diverted the conversation towards a lighter topic.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing preterite with imperfect: 'Desviaba el tráfico' when it was a one-time event.
Correct: For a single, completed action, use the preterite: 'Desvió el tráfico'.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions, while the preterite describes completed ones.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on 'desvió' (él/ella/usted).
Correct: The él/ella/usted form needs an accent: 'desvió'.
Why: The accent indicates that the stress falls on the final 'o' syllable, distinguishing it from other verb forms.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: desvío
Use present forms like desvío (yo) or desvían (ellos/ellas/ustedes) for actions happening now or habitual actions of diverting.
Imperfect
yo: desviaba
Use imperfect forms like desviaba (yo) or desviaban (ellos/ellas/ustedes) for ongoing or habitual past actions of diverting.
Future
yo: desviaré
Use future forms like desviaré (yo) or desviarán (ellos/ellas/ustedes) for actions that will happen in the future.
Conditional
yo: desviaría
Use conditional forms like desviaría (yo) or desviarían (ellos/ellas/ustedes) for hypothetical situations ('would divert') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: desvíe
Use present subjunctive forms like desvíe (yo/él/ella/usted) or desvíen (ustedes) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: desviara
Use imperfect subjunctive forms like desviara or desviase for past hypothetical situations or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: desvía
Use imperative forms like desvía (tú) or desvíen (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no desvíes
Use 'no' + present subjunctive forms like no desvíes (tú) or no desvíen (ustedes) for negative commands.