rodar Preterite Conjugation
rodar — to roll
Completed past actions like 'rodé' (I rolled) or 'rodó' (it rolled).
rodar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite for actions that started and finished in the past. Think of a ball rolling to a stop, or a car rolling into a parking spot – a clear beginning and end.
Notes on rodar in the Preterite
Rodar is regular in the preterite. All the endings are standard for -ar verbs.
Example Sentences
La piedra rodó cuesta abajo.
The stone rolled downhill.
él/ella/usted
Rodé por la hierba sin parar.
I rolled on the grass without stopping.
yo
Rodaron el coche hasta el garaje.
They rolled the car into the garage.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
¿Rodasteis hasta el final?
Did you (plural, informal) roll all the way to the end?
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect 'rodaba' for a single completed action.
Correct: Use the preterite 'rodó' for a single, completed action.
Why: The preterite is for finished events, while the imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on 'rodó' (él/ella/usted).
Correct: Remember the accent: 'rodó'.
Why: The accent on the final 'o' distinguishes it from the present tense and marks the stress.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: rodo
Actions happening now or habitually: 'ruedo' (I roll), 'rueda' (it rolls).
Imperfect
yo: rodaba
Ongoing or habitual past actions: 'rodaba' (I used to roll), 'rodaban' (they used to roll).
Future
yo: rodaré
Future actions: 'rodaré' (I will roll), 'rodará' (it will roll).
Conditional
yo: rodaría
Hypotheticals ('would'), polite requests: 'rodaría' (I would roll).
Present Subjunctive
yo: rode
Present subjunctive for wishes, doubts, or emotions like 'espero que ruede' (I hope it rolls).
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: rodara
Past subjunctive for hypotheticals like 'if it would roll' (si rodara).
Affirmative Imperative
yo: roda
Commands like 'roda!' (roll!) or 'roden!' (they roll! - command).
Negative Imperative
yo: no rodas
Negative commands like 'no ruedes!' (don't roll!) or 'no rueden!' (don't they roll! - command).