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preocuparse Preterite Conjugation

preocuparseto worry

A1reflexive, regular -ar★★★★★
Quick answer:

The preterite of preocuparse is regular: me preocupé, te preocupaste, se preocupó, nos preocupamos, os preocupasteis, se preocuparon.

preocuparse Preterite Forms

yome preocupé
te preocupaste
él/ella/ustedse preocupó
nosotrosnos preocupamos
vosotrosos preocupasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesse preocuparon

When to Use the Preterite

Use the preterite when someone started to worry at a specific moment or when the worry was a completed event in the past. It often describes a reaction to a piece of news.

Notes on preocuparse in the Preterite

Preocuparse is a regular -ar verb in the preterite. Don't forget to include the reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, etc.) before the verb.

Example Sentences

  • Me preocupé mucho cuando no contestaste el teléfono.

    I got worried when you didn't answer the phone.

    yo

  • Se preocupó por los resultados del examen.

    He worried about the exam results.

    él/ella/usted

  • Nos preocupamos al ver las noticias.

    We got worried upon seeing the news.

    nosotros

Common Mistakes

  • Mistake: Omission of the reflexive pronoun: 'Preocupé mucho.'

    Correct: Me preocupé mucho.

    Why: Preocuparse is reflexive; without 'me', the sentence is incomplete or means you worried someone else.

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