equilibrar Preterite Conjugation
equilibrar — to balance
Use preterite forms like equilibré (yo) and equilibraron (ustedes) for completed actions in the past.
equilibrar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
The preterite is for actions that started and finished at a specific point in the past. Think of it as the 'snapshot' tense for completed events, like balancing a checkbook yesterday or finally achieving a stable situation.
Notes on equilibrar in the Preterite
Equilibrar is regular in the preterite. All endings follow the standard pattern for -ar verbs.
Example Sentences
Ayer, equilibré mi presupuesto.
Yesterday, I balanced my budget.
yo
¿Tú equilibraste la situación?
Did you balance the situation?
tú
Él equilibró su vida después de la mudanza.
He balanced his life after the move.
él/ella/usted
Ellos equilibraron las cargas de trabajo.
They balanced the workloads.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'abri' without the accent for 'yo'.
Correct: The 'yo' preterite form is 'equilibré' with an accent on the 'e'.
Why: The accent distinguishes the preterite 'yo' form from other similar-sounding forms and indicates the stress.
Mistake: Confusing preterite and imperfect, e.g., 'Yo equilibraba mi presupuesto ayer.'
Correct: For a completed action yesterday, use preterite: 'Yo equilibré mi presupuesto ayer.'
Why: Preterite is for single, completed actions, while imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: equilibro
Use present tense forms like equilibro (yo) and equilibran (ustedes) for current actions, habits, or general truths.
Imperfect
yo: equilibraba
Use imperfect forms like equilibraba (yo) and equilibraban (ustedes) for ongoing or habitual past actions and descriptions.
Future
yo: equilibraré
Use future forms like equilibraré (yo) and equilibrarán (ustedes) to talk about actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: equilibraría
Use conditional forms like equilibraría (yo) and equilibrarían (ustedes) for hypothetical 'would' actions or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: equilibre
Use present subjunctive forms like equilibre (yo/él/ella/usted) and equilibren (ustedes) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: equilibrara
Use imperfect subjunctive forms like equilibrara or equilibrase for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: equilibra
Use imperative forms like equilibra (tú) and equilibren (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no equilibres
Use negative commands with 'no' plus present subjunctive forms like no equilibres (tú) and no equilibren (ustedes).