encajar Preterite Conjugation

When to Use the Preterite

Use the preterite to talk about a specific, completed action of fitting something in the past. For example, 'I fit the key in the lock' or 'The puzzle piece fit perfectly'.

Notes on encajar in the Preterite

Encajar is a regular -ar verb and follows the standard conjugation pattern in the preterite tense. No stem changes or spelling irregularities occur.

Example Sentences

• Encajé la última pieza del rompecabezas.

  I fit the last piece of the puzzle.

  yo

• ¿Encajaste bien el mueble en el espacio?

  Did you fit the furniture well in the space?

  tú

• La puerta encajó perfectamente después de ajustarla.

  The door fit perfectly after adjusting it.

  él/ella/usted

• Encajamos todas las sillas en el coche.

  We fit all the chairs in the car.

  nosotros

• Ellos encajaron las piezas sin dificultad.

  They fit the pieces without difficulty.

  ellos/ellas/ustedes

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Using the imperfect 'encajaba' instead of preterite 'encajó' for a single completed action.

  Correct: Use 'encajó' for a specific instance of fitting something, like 'La llave encajó en la cerradura' (The key fit in the lock). Use 'encajaba' for ongoing or habitual fitting in the past.

  Why: The preterite marks completed actions, while the imperfect describes ongoing or habitual actions in the past.

• Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the 'yo' form 'encajé'.

  Correct: The correct form for 'yo' in the preterite is 'encajé', with an accent on the final 'é'.

  Why: The accent distinguishes the preterite 'yo' form from other similar-looking verb forms and indicates the stressed syllable.

Related Tenses