firmar Preterite Conjugation
firmar — to sign
The preterite of firmar (firmé, firmaste, firmó, etc.) indicates completed past actions.
firmar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite to talk about a specific instance of signing that was completed. For example, 'I signed the contract yesterday' or 'She signed the guestbook.'
Notes on firmar in the Preterite
Firmar is regular in the preterite. The endings are standard for -ar verbs.
Example Sentences
Yo firmé el cheque.
I signed the check.
yo
¿Firmaste la carta?
Did you sign the letter?
tú
Él firmó la paz.
He signed the peace.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros firmamos el acuerdo.
We signed the agreement.
nosotros
Ellos firmaron la declaración.
They signed the declaration.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect for a single completed action.
Correct: Use 'firmé' for 'I signed (once)', not 'firmaba'.
Why: The preterite marks a specific, completed event, while the imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the 'yo' form.
Correct: The correct form is 'firmé', not 'firmo'.
Why: The accent on the 'é' distinguishes the preterite 'yo' form from the present tense 'yo' form.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: firmo
The present tense of firmar (firmo, firmas, firma, etc.) describes current or habitual signing actions.
Imperfect
yo: firmaba
The imperfect of firmar (firmaba, firmabas, firmaba, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: firmaré
The future tense of firmar (firmaré, firmarás, firmará, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: firmaría
The conditional of firmar (firmaría, firmarías, firmaría, etc.) expresses 'would' actions or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: firme
The present subjunctive of firmar (firme, firmes, firmemos, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or influence.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: firmara
The imperfect subjunctive of firmar (firmara, firmaras, firmáramos, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: firma
Use the imperative of firmar for direct commands: firma, firme, firmemos, firmen, firmad.
Negative Imperative
yo: no firmes
Negative commands for firmar use the present subjunctive: no firmes, no firme, no firmemos, no firmen, no firméis.