optar Preterite Conjugation
optar — to opt for
The preterite of 'optar' (opté, optaste, optó, etc.) marks completed past choices or decisions.
optar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite for a specific decision or choice that was made and finished in the past. For example, 'Yesterday, I opted for the blue shirt.'
Notes on optar in the Preterite
Optar is regular in the preterite. All forms follow the standard -ar preterite endings.
Example Sentences
Yo opté por quedarme en casa.
I opted to stay home.
yo
¿Tú optaste por la comida vegetariana?
Did you opt for the vegetarian meal?
tú
Él optó por no decir nada.
He opted not to say anything.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros optamos por la solución más sencilla.
We opted for the simplest solution.
nosotros
Ellos optaron por el silencio.
They opted for silence.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect instead of preterite for a single decision.
Correct: Use 'opté' for a decision made at one point, not 'optaba'.
Why: The preterite is for completed actions, while the imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on 'opté'.
Correct: The 'yo' form is 'opté' with an accent.
Why: The accent marks the stress on the final syllable for the 'yo' preterite form.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: opto
The present tense of 'optar' (opto, optas, opta, etc.) describes current or habitual choices.
Imperfect
yo: optaba
The imperfect of 'optar' (optaba, optabas, etc.) describes habitual or ongoing past choices.
Future
yo: optaré
The future tense of 'optar' (optaré, optarás, etc.) indicates choices that will be made.
Conditional
yo: optaría
The conditional of 'optar' (optaría, optarías, etc.) expresses hypothetical choices or polite suggestions.
Present Subjunctive
yo: opte
The present subjunctive of 'optar' (opte, optes, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: optara
The imperfect subjunctive of 'optar' (optara, optaras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: opta
Opta, optemos, optad, opten are the affirmative commands for 'optar'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no optes
Negative commands for 'optar' use the present subjunctive: no optes, no optemos, no optéis, no opten.