Confusing Past Tenses

When 'intentar' is followed by another verb, you simply use the infinitive (the base form) of the second verb: 'Intentaron salir' (They tried to leave). You do not need 'de' like you sometimes see with 'tratar de'.

Using 'Intentar' with Actions

'Intentaron' tells you that the attempt started and finished at a specific point in the past. It was a completed action, regardless of whether they succeeded or failed.

Preterite Tense (Completed Action)

Remember that 'intentaron' can refer to 'ellos' (they) or 'ustedes' (you plural, formal). If you are speaking to a group formally, this is the correct past tense form.

Formal Plural

Extremely common; the simple past plural form of 'to try' or 'to attempt.'

Learn the meaning of the Spanish verb form 'intentaron' (they tried/attempted), its conjugation in the preterite tense, and how to use it correctly when describing past actions.

intentaron

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

imperative

affirmative

negative

subjunctive

imperfect

present

indicative

conditional

preterite

imperfect

present

future

Practice Conjugations