intentó
in-ten-TÓ
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Él intentó levantar la caja, pero era muy pesada.
A2He tried to lift the box, but it was very heavy.
La empresa intentó un nuevo sistema de trabajo el mes pasado.
B1The company attempted a new work system last month.
Usted intentó comunicarse conmigo, ¿verdad?
A2You (formal) tried to contact me, right?
💡 Grammar Points
The Preterite Tense
This form ('intentó') tells you about an action that started and finished at a specific point in the past, like a single event or a completed task.
Using 'Intentar' with other verbs
When you use 'intentar,' the next verb almost always stays in its basic '-ar, -er, -ir' form (the infinitive). Example: 'intentó hablar' (tried to speak).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Preterite vs. Imperfect
Mistake: "Using 'intentaba' when describing a single, completed action."
Correction: 'Intentó' is used for the single effort ('She tried once'). 'Intentaba' means 'She was trying' or 'She used to try' over a period of time.
⭐ Usage Tips
Pronunciation Stress
Notice the accent mark on the 'ó'. This is crucial! It tells you to put the stress on the last syllable: in-ten-TÓ. Without the accent, 'intento' means 'I try' (present tense).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: intentó
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'intentó'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'intentó' and 'trató'?
Both mean 'tried' in the past. 'Intentó' (from intentar) is usually a straightforward attempt to achieve a goal ('He tried to call'). 'Trató' (from tratar) can also mean 'tried,' but often implies dealing with a situation or person ('He treated the matter seriously'). They are often interchangeable when referring to making an effort.
Why does 'intentó' have an accent mark?
The accent mark is necessary to indicate that the stress falls on the last syllable, making it a past tense verb (inten-TÓ). If it lacked the accent ('intento'), it would be the present tense form 'I try' (IN-ten-to).