reconocer Preterite Conjugation
reconocer — recognize
Reconocer is regular in the preterite: reconocí, reconociste, reconoció, reconocimos, reconocisteis, reconocieron.
reconocer Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite when you realized or identified something at a specific moment in time. It marks a completed event, like the exact second you recognized a face in a crowd.
Notes on reconocer in the Preterite
Reconocer follows the standard -er verb endings in the preterite. Unlike the present tense, there is no 'z' in these forms.
Example Sentences
Ayer reconocí a mi antiguo profesor en la calle.
Yesterday I recognized my old teacher on the street.
yo
¿Reconociste tu error ante el jefe?
Did you admit (recognize) your error to the boss?
tú
Ellos no reconocieron la firma en el contrato.
They didn't recognize the signature on the contract.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'reconozco' for the past.
Correct: Use 'reconocí'.
Why: Learners often carry the 'z' from the present tense 'yo' form into the preterite where it doesn't belong.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: reconozco
Reconocer is irregular only in the 'yo' form: reconozco.
Imperfect
yo: reconocía
Reconocer is regular in the imperfect: reconocía, reconocías, reconocía, reconocíamos, reconocíais, reconocían.
Future
yo: reconoceré
Reconocer is regular in the future: reconoceré, reconocerás, reconocerá, etc.
Conditional
yo: reconocería
Reconocer is regular in the conditional: reconocería, reconocerías, reconocería, etc.
Present Subjunctive
yo: reconozca
The present subjunctive uses the 'reconozc-' stem for all forms.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: reconociera
The imperfect subjunctive uses the 'reconocier-' stem.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: reconoce
Use 'reconoce' (tú) or 'reconozca' (usted) to give commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no reconozcas
All negative commands for reconocer use the 'reconozc-' stem.