vigilar Preterite Conjugation
vigilar — to guard
The preterite 'vigilé/vigilaron' describes completed actions in the past.
vigilar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite for actions that started and finished at a specific point in the past. Think of it as a snapshot: 'Ayer, yo vigilé la entrada' (Yesterday, I guarded the entrance - the action is done).
Notes on vigilar in the Preterite
Vigilar is regular in the preterite indicative.
Example Sentences
Yo vigilé el perímetro durante dos horas.
I guarded the perimeter for two hours.
yo
¿Tú vigilaste la cámara?
Did you watch the camera?
tú
Él vigiló la casa toda la noche.
He watched over the house all night.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros vigilamos la zona hasta el amanecer.
We guarded the area until dawn.
nosotros
Ellos vigilaron la entrada.
They guarded the entrance.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect for a completed action.
Correct: For a specific, completed action, use 'vigiló', not 'vigilaba'.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions, not single, finished events.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on 'vigiló'.
Correct: The él/ella/usted form is 'vigiló' with an accent.
Why: The accent on the 'ó' distinguishes it from other forms and indicates the stressed syllable.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: vigilo
The present tense 'vigilo/vigilan' describes actions happening now or habitual actions.
Imperfect
yo: vigilaba
The imperfect 'vigilaba/vigilaban' describes ongoing or habitual past actions and background.
Future
yo: vigilaré
The future tense 'vigilaré/vigilarán' indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: vigilaría
The conditional 'vigilaría/vigilarían' expresses 'would' actions, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: vigile
The present subjunctive 'vigile/vigilen' expresses wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: vigilara
The imperfect subjunctive 'vigilara/vigilaran' is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: vigila
Use 'vigila' for tú, 'vigile' for usted/ustedes, and 'vigilen' for ustedes/ellos/ellas commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no vigiles
Use 'no vigiles' for tú, 'no vigile' for usted, and 'no vigilen' for ustedes/ellos/ellas negative commands.