preparar Present Conjugation
preparar — to prepare
The present tense of preparar is regular: preparo, preparas, prepara, preparamos, preparáis, preparan.
preparar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense to talk about daily routines like preparing breakfast or ongoing situations like preparing for a big exam. It describes things happening right now or habitual actions.
Notes on preparar in the Present
Preparar is completely regular in the present tense, following the standard -ar verb pattern.
Example Sentences
Yo preparo el café todas las mañanas.
I prepare the coffee every morning.
yo
¿Qué preparas para la cena?
What are you preparing for dinner?
tú
Ellos preparan la maleta para el viaje.
They are preparing the suitcase for the trip.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'preparo' for 'he prepares'.
Correct: Él prepara
Why: Learners often mix up the 'o' ending (yo) with the 'a' ending (él/ella/usted).
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: preparé
The preterite of preparar is regular: preparé, preparaste, preparó, preparamos, preparasteis, prepararon.
Imperfect
yo: preparaba
The imperfect of preparar uses the regular -aba endings: preparaba, preparabas, preparaba, preparábamos, preparabais, preparaban.
Future
yo: prepararé
The future of preparar adds endings to the infinitive: prepararé, prepararás, preparará, prepararemos, prepararéis, prepararán.
Conditional
yo: prepararía
The conditional of preparar is regular: prepararía, prepararías, prepararía, prepararíamos, prepararíais, prepararían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: prepare
The present subjunctive of preparar changes the -a to -e: prepare, prepares, prepare, preparemos, preparéis, preparen.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: preparara
The imperfect subjunctive of preparar is formed from the preterite stem: preparara, prepararas, preparara, preparáramos, prepararais, prepararan.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: prepara
The affirmative imperative of preparar gives commands: prepara (tú), prepare (usted), preparad (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no prepares
The negative imperative of preparar uses the present subjunctive: no prepares, no prepare, no preparemos, no preparéis, no preparen.