solicitar Preterite Conjugation
solicitar — to apply for
The preterite of solicitar is regular: solicité, solicitaste, solicitó, solicitamos, solicitasteis, solicitaron.
solicitar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite of 'solicitar' to talk about a specific, completed instance of applying for, requesting, or soliciting something in the past. It's for actions that have a clear beginning and end.
Notes on solicitar in the Preterite
Solicitar is a regular -ar verb and follows the standard conjugation pattern in the preterite tense. All forms are predictable.
Example Sentences
Ayer solicité una beca para estudiar.
Yesterday I applied for a scholarship to study.
yo
¿Solicitaste el permiso a tiempo?
Did you request the permit on time?
tú
Ella solicitó un aumento de sueldo la semana pasada.
She applied for a raise last week.
él/ella/usted
Los estudiantes solicitaron más tiempo para el proyecto.
The students requested more time for the project.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'solicitamos' (preterite) when meaning 'we apply' (present).
Correct: Be mindful of context; 'solicitamos' can mean 'we applied' (preterite) or 'we apply' (present).
Why: The 'nosotros' form is identical in both the present indicative and the preterite, requiring context to differentiate.
Mistake: Confusing preterite with imperfect for past actions.
Correct: Use preterite for a single, completed application: 'Solicité la visa'. Use imperfect for ongoing or habitual requests: 'Solicitaba información cada mes'.
Why: The preterite marks a specific event, while the imperfect describes duration or repetition in the past.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: solicito
The present tense of solicitar (solicito, solicitas, etc.) describes current actions, habits, or general truths about applying/requesting.
Imperfect
yo: solicitaba
The imperfect of solicitar (solicitaba, solicitabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past requests/applications.
Future
yo: solicitaré
The future tense of solicitar (solicitaré, solicitarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: solicitaría
The conditional of solicitar (solicitaría, solicitarías, etc.) expresses 'would' actions, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: solicite
The present subjunctive of solicitar (solicite, solicites, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or influence.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: solicitara
The imperfect subjunctive of solicitar (solicitara/solicitase) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: solicita
Use the imperative of solicitar for direct commands: solicita (tú), solicite (usted), etc.
Negative Imperative
yo: no solicites
Negative commands for solicitar use the present subjunctive: no solicites (tú), no solicite (usted), etc.