precisar Preterite Conjugation
precisar — to need
The preterite of 'precisar' (precisé, precisaste, etc.) describes completed past needs or specifications.
precisar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite for actions of needing or specifying that were completed at a specific point in the past. It emphasizes the completion of the action.
Notes on precisar in the Preterite
'Precisar' is a regular -ar verb, and its conjugation in the preterite is standard. All forms are regular.
Example Sentences
Yo precisé tu ayuda ayer.
I needed your help yesterday.
yo
¿Precisaste la dirección exacta?
Did you specify the exact address?
tú
Él precisó su opinión sobre el proyecto.
He stated his opinion on the project.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros precisamos los términos del contrato.
We specified the terms of the contract.
nosotros
Ellos precisaron cuándo debían entregar el informe.
They specified when they had to deliver the report.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect instead of the preterite for a single, completed need.
Correct: Say 'Precisé ayuda ayer' (preterite) if you needed help at a specific past moment, not 'Precisaba ayuda ayer' (imperfect).
Why: The preterite marks a completed action, while the imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past situations.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on 'yo' and 'él/ella/usted' forms.
Correct: The forms are 'precisé' and 'precisó', with accents on the final vowels.
Why: The accents distinguish these preterite forms from other tenses and indicate the stressed syllable.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: preciso
The present tense of 'precisar' (preciso, precisas, etc.) means 'to need' or 'to specify' now.
Imperfect
yo: precisaba
The imperfect of 'precisar' (precisaba, precisabas, etc.) describes past ongoing or habitual needs/specifications.
Future
yo: precisaré
The future tense of 'precisar' (precisarás, precisará, etc.) means 'will need' or 'will specify'.
Conditional
yo: precisaría
The conditional of 'precisar' (precisaría, precisarías, etc.) means 'would need' or 'would specify'.
Present Subjunctive
yo: precise
The present subjunctive of 'precisar' (precise, precises, etc.) follows wishes, doubts, and emotions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: precisara
The imperfect subjunctive of 'precisar' (precisara/precisase) is used for past hypotheticals and wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: precisa
Precisa, precise, precisemos, precisad, precisen are the commands for 'to need'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no precises
No precises, no precise, no precisemos, no preciséis, no precisen are negative commands for 'to need'.