Learn ocupar conjugation in Pretérito Perfecto Simple step by step with detailed explanations

Image of ocupar conjugation in Pretérito Perfecto Simple

ocupar means: to busy, to hold, to occupy, to take up

In this lesson we are going to learn how to conjugate the verb ocupar in the Pretérito Perfecto Simple tense of the Indicativo mood. It means we will see step by step how to create the following conjugation:

yo	ocupé	I busyed
tú	ocupaste	you busyed
él/ella/usted	ocupó	he/she/it busyed
nosotros/nosotras	ocupamos	we busyed
vosotros/vosotras	ocupasteis	you busyed
ellos/ellas/ustedes	ocuparon	they busyed

This lesson is specifically about the ocupar conjugation. For an overview of Simple Tenses conjugation check the Simple Tenses Conjugation Chart.

We also have a Video Presentation on how to conjugate verbs in Pretérito Perfecto Simple. It’s embedded on the right, but using the above link you will find additional information on conjugation in this tense and explanation of special cases and exceptions.

How to translate Pretérito Perfecto Simple to English

Note that the phrases in English in the third column of the above conjugation table are not direct translations from Spanish to English. They are usually the closest general equivalents. The example differences are:

In Spanish, there is the form usted in the third person singular. But this person does not translate to the English third person singular. It translates to the so called formal you and uses the inflected form which is most often represented as he/she/it in English conjugation charts.
Similar situation happens in the third person plural, where ustedes translates to the English plural formal you but uses the form which corresponds to the they form in English.
Tenses are used differently in Spanish and English, so the actual translation should always take into account the context and focus on translating the meaning, not just words.
In both languages each verb may have multiple meanings and not every meaning translates directly to the other language. Here also, the context and focusing on the particular meaning helps to create the most accurate translation.

Note the timeline

The ability to properly locate the intended position on the timeline is a crucial skill for proper choice of tenses. So note the timeline in our lessons and visualize it while speaking, listening, writing and reading. After a bit practice you will be capable of selecting the right tense to use much easier. timeline preterito perfecto simple how to conjugate spanish verbs

timeline preterito perfecto simple how to conjugate spanish verbs

Step by step instructions

Pretérito Perfecto Simple belongs to the simple tenses group, which means that all of its inflected forms are one word long. There are also compound (compuesto) tenses in Spanish language, where each conjugated verb form consists of two words.

The verb ocupar has an entirely regular conjugation in the Pretérito Perfecto Simple tense of the Indicativo mood. It means this verb simply follows the general rules for its conjugation group (-ar) without any exceptions or spelling corrections.

The basis for the conjugation in this tense is the stem of the verb, so we start by splitting the infinitive into a stem and an ending. It’s very easy to do. Just remove two letters from the end of the infinitive form and you have the ending — one of -ar, -er or -ir. What’s left is the stem.

So for ocupar:

the stem is: ocup-
and the ending is: -ar

Use the stem ocup- in each subject as the basis for the conjugation, the common prefix that each of the forms begins with.

endings preterito perfecto simple ar how to conjugate spanish verbs

Next, add to this regular stem the endings specific to each person. Analyze the image showing all six endings. Note the colors and shapes of the letters. They are arranged to help you find patterns and make it easier to remember these endings.

Each grammatical person has a specific ending in each of the three conjugation groups -ar, -er, -ir.

Add the regular ending -é for the first person singular to create ocupé:

yo ocupé

And as before add the regular ending -aste for the second person singular to create ocupaste:

tú ocupaste

Like in the previous case add the regular ending -ó for the third person singular to create ocupó:

él ocupó
ella ocupó
usted ocupó

And again add the regular ending -amos for the first person plural to create ocupamos:

nosotros ocupamos
nosotras ocupamos

And once more add the regular ending -asteis for the second person plural to create ocupasteis:

vosotros ocupasteis
vosotras ocupasteis

Like previously add the regular ending -aron for the third person plural to create ocuparon:

ellos ocuparon
ellas ocuparon
ustedes ocuparon

This is it! The conjugation is now complete. But don’t end your session yet – it is very important to repeat and practice the material in order to retain it. Check below for suggestions.

Next Steps

To practice this conjugation and test yourself try this Conjugation Exercise or the Memory Game
To see other conjugation lessons for this verb choose another tense:
For exercises and examples related to ocupar visit our Exercise section
To see conjugation charts in all tenses for ocupar visit the Conjugator
To explore other learning materials visit the Study section