prescindir Preterite Conjugation
prescindir — to do without
The preterite of prescindir is regular: 'prescindí', 'prescindiste', 'prescindió', 'prescindimos', 'prescindisteis', 'prescindieron'.
prescindir Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite of 'prescindir' to talk about a specific instance in the past where someone decided to do without something, and that action is now completed.
Notes on prescindir in the Preterite
'Prescindir' is a regular -ir verb in the preterite. All the endings are standard for this verb type.
Example Sentences
Ayer, prescindí de mi café matutino.
Yesterday, I did without my morning coffee.
yo
¿Prescindiste de la ayuda de tus padres?
Did you do without your parents' help?
tú
Ella prescindió de los adornos innecesarios.
She did without the unnecessary decorations.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros prescindimos de la carne en esa comida.
We did without meat in that meal.
nosotros
Ellos prescindieron de la tecnología por un día.
They did without technology for a day.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect instead of the preterite for a single completed action.
Correct: Use 'prescindí' for a specific past instance, not 'prescindía'.
Why: The preterite marks a completed action at a specific point, while the imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on 'prescindió' (él/ella/usted).
Correct: The third-person singular form is 'prescindió' with an accent on the 'o'.
Why: The accent marks the stressed syllable and distinguishes it from the imperfect form.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: prescindo
The present tense ('prescindo', 'prescindes') describes current actions or general truths about doing without things.
Imperfect
yo: prescindía
The imperfect ('prescindía', 'prescindías') describes past habits or ongoing situations of doing without.
Future
yo: prescindiré
The future tense ('prescindiré', 'prescindirás') indicates actions of doing without that will happen later.
Conditional
yo: prescindiría
The conditional ('prescindiría', 'prescindirías') expresses hypotheticals like 'would do without'.
Present Subjunctive
yo: prescinda
The present subjunctive ('prescinda', 'prescindas') follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: prescindiera
Use the imperfect subjunctive ('prescindiera' or 'prescindiese') for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: prescinde
Use imperative forms like 'prescinde' (tú) and 'prescinda' (usted) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no prescindas
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive, like 'no prescindas' (tú) or 'no prescinda' (usted).