encargar Preterite Conjugation
encargar — to order
The preterite of 'encargar' is regular: 'encargué', 'encargaste', 'encargó', 'encargamos', 'encargasteis', 'encargaron'.
encargar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite for completed actions in the past that have a definite beginning and end. For 'encargar', this means you ordered something at a specific point in time and finished that action. For example, 'Encargué el coche ayer.' (I ordered the car yesterday.) or 'Encargaron la tarta para la boda.' (They ordered the cake for the wedding.)
Notes on encargar in the Preterite
Encargar is regular in the preterite tense. The stem is 'encarg-', and it follows the standard -ar verb preterite endings. Note that the 'yo' form ('encargué') has a written accent.
Example Sentences
Yo encargué el libro la semana pasada.
I ordered the book last week.
yo
¿Tú encargaste las flores?
Did you order the flowers?
tú
Él encargó un nuevo ordenador.
He ordered a new computer.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros encargamos la mudanza.
We ordered the move (hired movers).
nosotros
Ellos encargaron la comida a las ocho.
They ordered the food at eight.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect instead of the preterite for a single, completed order, e.g., 'Encargaba el vestido para la fiesta' instead of 'Encargué el vestido para la fiesta'.
Correct: For a specific, completed order in the past, use the preterite: 'Encargué el vestido para la fiesta'.
Why: The preterite marks completed actions, while the imperfect marks ongoing or habitual past actions.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the 'yo' form: 'encargo' instead of 'encargué'.
Correct: The 'yo' preterite form needs an accent: 'encargué'.
Why: The accent is crucial to distinguish the preterite 'yo' form from the present indicative 'yo' form and indicates stress.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: encargo
The present tense of 'encargar' is regular: 'encargo', 'encargas', 'encarga', 'encargamos', 'encargáis', 'encargan'.
Imperfect
yo: encargaba
The imperfect tense of 'encargar' is regular: 'encargaba', 'encargabas', 'encargaba', 'encargábamos', 'encargabais', 'encargaban'.
Future
yo: encargaré
The future tense 'encargar' is regular, with the infinitive as the stem: 'encargaré' (I will order).
Conditional
yo: encargaría
The conditional tense of 'encargar' is regular: 'encargaría', 'encargarías', 'encargaría', 'encargaríamos', 'encargaríais', 'encargarían'.
Present Subjunctive
yo: encargue
Use the present subjunctive for wishes, doubts, or emotions related to ordering, like 'Espero que encargues' (I hope you order).
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: encargara
Use the imperfect subjunctive for past hypothetical situations or wishes with 'encargar', like 'si encargara' (if I ordered).
Affirmative Imperative
yo: encarga
Use the imperative to give direct commands with 'encargar', like 'encarga' (you, informal) or 'encargue' (you, formal).
Negative Imperative
yo: encargues
Use 'no' plus the present subjunctive to form negative commands with 'encargar', like 'no encargues' (don't order).