pulsar Preterite Conjugation
pulsar — to press
The preterite of pulsar is regular: 'pulsé', 'pulsaste', 'pulsó', 'pulsamos', 'pulsasteis', 'pulsaron' for completed actions.
pulsar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite for actions that started and finished at a specific point in the past. Think of it as a snapshot: 'pulsé el botón una vez' (I pressed the button once).
Notes on pulsar in the Preterite
Pulsar is regular in the preterite. The nosotros form 'pulsamos' is identical to the present indicative; context tells you which tense is being used.
Example Sentences
Pulsé el botón de llamada.
I pressed the call button.
yo
¿Pulsaste el interruptor de la luz?
Did you press the light switch?
tú
Ella pulsó el número equivocado.
She pressed the wrong number.
él/ella/usted
Ayer pulsamos el botón de 'guardar'.
Yesterday we pressed the 'save' button.
nosotros
Ellos pulsaron 'enter' para confirmar.
They pressed 'enter' to confirm.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect instead of the preterite for a single, completed action.
Correct: Use 'pulsé', 'pulsó', etc., for specific past events.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions, not single, completed ones.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the 'yo' form ('pulse' instead of 'pulsé').
Correct: The yo form needs an accent: 'pulsé'.
Why: The accent distinguishes the preterite yo form and indicates the stress.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: pulso
The present tense 'pulso', 'pulsas', 'pulsa' describes current actions or habits.
Imperfect
yo: pulsaba
The imperfect 'pulsaba' describes ongoing or habitual past actions, like 'Yo pulsaba el botón a menudo'.
Future
yo: pulsaré
The future tense 'pulsaré', 'pulsarás' indicates actions that will happen, like 'Pulsaré el botón mañana'.
Conditional
yo: pulsaría
The conditional 'pulsaría' is for hypotheticals ('would press') or polite requests, like 'Pulsaría el botón si pudiera'.
Present Subjunctive
yo: pulse
Use the present subjunctive (pulse, pulsemos) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion, like 'Espero que pulses el botón'.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: pulsara
The imperfect subjunctive (pulsara/pulsase) is for past hypotheticals or wishes, like 'Si pulsara el botón...'.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: pulsa
Use 'pulsa' (tú) and 'pulse' (usted) for direct commands, like 'pulsa el botón'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no pulses
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive, e.g., 'no pulses el botón'.