pensar Preterite Conjugation
pensar — to think
The preterite of pensar is regular: pensé, pensaste, pensó, pensamos, pensasteis, pensaron.
pensar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite when 'thinking' refers to a specific moment of realization or a decision made at a point in time, rather than a continuous state of mind.
Notes on pensar in the Preterite
Unlike the present tense, pensar is completely regular in the preterite. There is no stem change (e>ie) here.
Example Sentences
En ese momento, pensé que era una buena idea.
In that moment, I thought it was a good idea.
yo
Él pensó mucho antes de responder.
He thought a lot before responding.
él/ella/usted
¿Pensaste en lo que te dije ayer?
Did you think about what I told you yesterday?
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'pienso' for the past tense.
Correct: pensé
Why: Learners often carry the stem change from the present tense into the preterite, but pensar is regular in the past.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: pienso
Pensar is a stem-changing verb (e > ie) in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
Imperfect
yo: pensaba
The imperfect of pensar is regular: pensaba, pensabas, pensaba, pensábamos, pensabais, pensaban.
Future
yo: pensaré
The future of pensar is regular: pensaré, pensarás, pensará, pensaremos, pensaréis, pensarán.
Conditional
yo: pensaría
The conditional of pensar is regular: pensaría, pensarías, pensaría, pensaríamos, pensaríais, pensarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: piense
The present subjunctive of pensar follows the e > ie stem change: piense, pienses, piense, pensemos, penséis, piensen.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: pensara
The imperfect subjunctive of pensar is based on the preterite: pensara, pensaras, pensara, pensáramos, pensarais, pensaran.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: piensa
The imperative uses the 'ie' stem for most commands: piensa, piense, pensemos, pensad, piensen.
Negative Imperative
yo: no pienses
Negative commands use the present subjunctive: no pienses, no piense, no pensemos, no penséis, no piensen.