retornar Preterite Conjugation
retornar — to return
The preterite of 'retornar' is regular: retorné, retornaste, retornó, retornamos, retornasteis, retornaron.
retornar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite for completed actions in the past, like returning something at a specific time or returning from a trip that has finished.
Notes on retornar in the Preterite
'Retornar' is a regular -ar verb in the preterite tense. All forms follow the standard pattern.
Example Sentences
Retorné las llaves ayer por la tarde.
I returned the keys yesterday afternoon.
yo
¿Retornaste el coche a tiempo?
Did you return the car on time?
tú
Ella retornó a su país después de muchos años.
She returned to her country after many years.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros retornamos a la normalidad tras la tormenta.
We returned to normalcy after the storm.
nosotros
Ellos retornaron la mercancía defectuosa.
They returned the defective merchandise.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect instead of preterite for a specific past event: 'Retornaba las llaves ayer'.
Correct: 'Retorné las llaves ayer'.
Why: The preterite is for completed actions with a clear endpoint, while the imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on 'retornó' (él/ella/usted form).
Correct: 'Retornó'.
Why: The accent on the 'o' distinguishes it from the nosotros present tense form and indicates the stressed syllable.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: retorno
The present tense of 'retornar' (retorno, retornas, etc.) describes current actions or habits of returning.
Imperfect
yo: retornaba
The imperfect of 'retornar' (retornaba, retornabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions of returning.
Future
yo: retornaré
The future tense of 'retornar' (retornaré, retornarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: retornaría
The conditional of 'retornar' (retornaría, retornarías, etc.) expresses hypothetical actions, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: retorne
The present subjunctive of 'retornar' (retorne, retornes, etc.) expresses wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: retornara
The imperfect subjunctive of 'retornar' (retornara, retornaras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or suggestions.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: retorna
Use 'retorna' (tú), 'retorne' (usted), 'retornemos' (nosotros), 'retornad' (vosotros), 'retornen' (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no retornes
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive: 'no retornes' (tú), 'no retorne' (usted), etc.