preguntó
preh-goon-TOH
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Ella preguntó la hora al camarero.
A1She asked the waiter for the time.
Mi jefe me preguntó si ya había terminado el informe.
A2My boss asked me if I had already finished the report.
El niño no entendió la regla y preguntó de nuevo.
A1The boy didn't understand the rule and asked again.
💡 Grammar Points
The Accent Mark is Crucial
The accent on the 'ó' (preguntó) is vital! It tells you this action happened in the simple past (Preterite) and was completed. Without the accent ('pregunto'), it means 'I ask' (Present tense).
Using the Preterite Tense
The Preterite tense (like 'preguntó') is used for actions that had a clear start and end point in the past. Think of it as a single, finished event.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Past Tenses
Mistake: "Using 'preguntaba' instead of 'preguntó' when describing a single, completed action."
Correction: 'Preguntó' is for one finished question ('He asked once'). 'Preguntaba' describes repeated asking or background setting ('He used to ask/was asking').
⭐ Usage Tips
Implied Subject
Since 'preguntó' only works for 'él,' 'ella,' or 'usted,' you often don't need to say the subject pronoun. 'Preguntó por ti' is enough—the verb form tells you who did the asking.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: preguntó
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'preguntó'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'preguntó' and 'pregunta'?
'Preguntó' (with the accent) means 'he/she/you asked' (finished action in the past). 'Pregunta' (no accent) has two meanings: it is either the noun meaning 'a question,' or the present tense verb form meaning 'he/she/you ask/asks.'
Does 'preguntó' require the subject pronoun (él/ella/usted)?
No, it's usually optional! Because 'preguntó' can only refer to 'he,' 'she,' or formal 'you,' the context generally makes it clear who performed the action. You only need the pronoun for emphasis or clarity.