oscilar Preterite Conjugation
oscilar — to fluctuate
The preterite of oscilar is regular: oscilé, oscilaste, osciló, oscilamos, oscilasteis, oscilaron.
oscilar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite for actions that started and finished at a specific point in the past. For 'oscilar', this could be describing a specific instance of fluctuation that ended, like 'La aguja osciló y se detuvo' (The needle fluctuated and stopped).
Notes on oscilar in the Preterite
Oscilar is a regular -ar verb in the preterite. All forms are predictable based on the standard endings: -é, -aste, -ó, -amos, -asteis, -aron.
Example Sentences
La temperatura osciló entre 20 y 25 grados ayer.
The temperature fluctuated between 20 and 25 degrees yesterday.
él/ella/usted
Oscilamos la carga para equilibrarla.
We shifted the load to balance it.
nosotros
Oscilaste la mano para saludar.
You waved your hand to say hello.
tú
Los precios oscilaron mucho la semana pasada.
The prices fluctuated a lot last week.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect 'oscilaba' for a single, completed fluctuation.
Correct: For a specific, finished fluctuation, use the preterite: 'La temperatura osciló'.
Why: The preterite marks completed actions, while the imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on 'osciló' (él/ella/usted).
Correct: The third-person singular preterite form is 'osciló', with an accent on the 'ó'.
Why: The accent differentiates it from the present tense 'oscila' and marks the stress.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: oscilo
Use the present tense like 'oscilo' or 'oscilas' for current actions, habits, or general truths.
Imperfect
yo: oscilaba
Use imperfect forms like 'oscilaba' or 'oscilaban' for ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: oscilaré
The future tense of oscilar is regular: oscilaré, oscilarás, oscilará, oscilaremos, oscilaréis, oscilarán.
Conditional
yo: oscilaría
Use conditional forms like 'oscilaría' for hypotheticals ('would') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: oscile
Use present subjunctive forms like 'oscile' or 'osciles' after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: oscilara
Use imperfect subjunctive forms like 'oscilara' or 'oscilaras' for past wishes, doubts, or hypothetical situations.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: oscila
Use imperative forms like 'oscila' (tú) or 'oscile' (usted) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no osciles
Negative commands like 'no osciles' (tú) use the present subjunctive.