retroceder Preterite Conjugation
retroceder — to move back
The preterite of retroceder is regular: retrocedí, retrocediste, retrocedió, retrocedimos, retrocedisteis, retrocedieron.
retroceder Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite to describe a specific moment when someone or something moved back or retreated. It is ideal for narrating a finished event in a story.
Notes on retroceder in the Preterite
Retroceder is fully regular in the preterite. Be sure to include the accent on the 'í' for the 'yo' form and 'ió' for 'él/ella/usted'.
Example Sentences
Retrocedí un paso al ver la serpiente.
I stepped back when I saw the snake.
yo
Él retrocedió cuando ella empezó a gritar.
He moved back when she started to scream.
él/ella/usted
Los soldados retrocedieron durante la batalla.
The soldiers retreated during the battle.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: retrocedió without the accent.
Correct: retrocedió
Why: The accent is required to show the stress is on the final syllable in the third-person singular.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'retroceder' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: retrocedo
The present tense of retroceder is regular: retrocedo, retrocedes, retrocede, retrocedemos, retrocedéis, retroceden.
Imperfect
yo: retrocedía
The imperfect of retroceder uses regular -er endings: retrocedía, retrocedías, retrocedía, retrocedíamos, retrocedíais, retrocedían.
Future
yo: retrocederé
The future of retroceder is formed by adding standard endings to the infinitive: retrocederé, retrocederás, retrocederá.
Conditional
yo: retrocedería
The conditional of retroceder adds -ía endings to the infinitive: retrocedería, retrocederías, retrocedería.
Present Subjunctive
yo: retroceda
The present subjunctive of retroceder uses -a endings: retroceda, retrocedas, retroceda, retrocedamos, retrocedáis, retrocedan.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: retrocediera
The imperfect subjunctive of retroceder is built from the 'ellos' preterite: retrocediera, retrocedieras, retrocediera.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: retrocede
The affirmative imperative of retroceder gives direct commands: retrocede (tú), retroceda (usted).
Negative Imperative
yo: no retrocedas
The negative imperative of retroceder uses present subjunctive forms: no retrocedas, no retroceda, no retrocedamos.