grabar Preterite Conjugation
grabar — record
The preterite of grabar (grabé, grabaste, grabó, etc.) is used for completed actions of recording in the past.
grabar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite tense to talk about a specific instance when you recorded something that has a clear beginning and end. For example, 'Grabé el concierto anoche.' (I recorded the concert last night).
Notes on grabar in the Preterite
Grabar is regular in the preterite tense. The forms are grabé, grabaste, grabó, grabamos, grabasteis, grabaron.
Example Sentences
Yo grabé la llamada importante.
I recorded the important call.
yo
¿Tú grabaste el discurso?
Did you record the speech?
tú
Él grabó su voz para el proyecto.
He recorded his voice for the project.
él/ella/usted
Ellos grabaron la entrevista completa.
They recorded the complete interview.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite for habitual past actions.
Correct: For habitual past actions ('I used to record'), use the imperfect: 'Grababa'. For a completed action ('I recorded yesterday'), use the preterite: 'Grabé'.
Why: The preterite marks a completed event, while the imperfect describes ongoing or repeated past actions.
Mistake: Writing 'grabo' instead of 'grabó' for él/ella/usted.
Correct: The preterite third-person singular is 'grabó' with a written accent.
Why: The accent on 'ó' indicates the past tense and the correct pronunciation.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: grabo
The present tense of grabar (grabo, grabas, graba, etc.) describes actions happening now or habitual actions related to recording.
Imperfect
yo: grababa
The imperfect tense of grabar (grababa, grababas, grababa, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions related to recording.
Future
yo: grabaré
The future tense of grabar (grabaré, grabarás, grabará, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: grabaría
The conditional tense of grabar (graría, grabarías, grabaría, etc.) is used for hypothetical situations, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: grabe
The present subjunctive of grabar (grabe, grabes, grabemos, graben) is used after expressions of desire, doubt, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: grabara
The imperfect subjunctive of grabar (grabara/grabarais/grabaran) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: graba
Use the imperative of grabar for direct commands: graba (tú), grabe (usted), grabemos (nosotros), graben (ustedes), graba (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no grabes
Use 'no' + present subjunctive for negative commands: no grabes (tú), no grabe (usted), no grabemos (nosotros), no graben (ustedes), no grabéis (vosotros).