emplear Preterite Conjugation
emplear — to use
The preterite of emplear is regular: empleé, empleaste, empleó, empleamos, empleasteis, emplearon.
emplear Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite for completed actions in the past. For 'emplear,' think of specific instances where something was used and then finished being used.
Notes on emplear in the Preterite
Emplear is a regular -ar verb and follows the standard conjugation pattern perfectly in the preterite tense.
Example Sentences
Ayer empleé todas mis energías en el proyecto.
Yesterday I used all my energy on the project.
yo
¿Empleaste el martillo que te presté?
Did you use the hammer I lent you?
tú
La empresa empleó a cien personas el año pasado.
The company employed a hundred people last year.
él/ella/usted
Ellos emplearon tácticas diferentes para ganar.
They used different tactics to win.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Nosotros empleamos la calculadora para la suma.
We used the calculator for the sum.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect instead of the preterite for a single, completed past action.
Correct: For a specific instance of use, use the preterite: 'Empleé la herramienta ayer.'
Why: The preterite marks a specific, finished event, while the imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the 'yo' form: 'emplee' instead of 'empleé'.
Correct: The first-person singular preterite form is 'empleé', with an accent on the final 'e'.
Why: The accent is crucial to distinguish it from the present subjunctive 'emplee' and indicates stress on that syllable.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: empleo
The present tense of emplear (empleo, empleas, emplea...) is used for current actions, habits, and general truths.
Imperfect
yo: empleaba
The imperfect of emplear (empleaba, empleabas...) describes past habits or ongoing situations.
Future
yo: emplearé
The future tense of emplear (emplearé, emplearás...) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: emplearía
The conditional of emplear (emplearía, emplearías...) expresses hypotheticals, polite requests, and future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: emplee
The present subjunctive of emplear (emplee, emplees, empleemos, etc.) follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: empleara
The imperfect subjunctive of emplear (empleara/emplease) expresses past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: emplea
Use the imperative of emplear for direct commands: ¡emplea!, ¡emplee!, ¡empleemos!, ¡empleen!, ¡emplead!
Negative Imperative
yo: no emplees
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive: ¡no emplees!, ¡no emplee!, ¡no empleemos!, ¡no empleen!, ¡no empleéis!