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Learn querer conjugation in Pretérito

querer means: to want, to like
Click to see all conjugation charts of querer in every tense

In this conjugation lesson we will learn how to conjugate the verb querer in the Pretérito tense of the Indicativo mood. It means we will see step by step how to create and translate forms of each grammatical person.

This lesson is specifically about the querer verb conjugation. For an overview of Simple Tenses conjugation see the Simple Tenses Conjugation Chart.

You may also see this Video Presentation on how to conjugate verbs in Pretérito. It’s embedded below, but using the above link you will see more detailed information on conjugation in this tense as well as explanation of special cases and exceptions.

How to translate Pretérito to English

Notice that the English phrases provided below next to each conjugation are not direct translations from Spanish to English. They are usually the closest general equivalents. The example differences are:
  • In Spanish conjugation, 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.

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Note the timeline

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

Step by step instructions

Pretérito belongs to the simple tenses group, which means that all of the inflected forms are one word long. There are also compound (compuesto) tenses in Spanish language, where each inflected form consists of two words.
The verb querer has an irregular conjugation in the Pretérito tense of the Indicativo mood.
This verb belongs to the group which in the Pretérito Perfecto Simple tense conjugates based on an irregular stem, common to each grammatical person.

This group also uses specific endings for each person, but these endings very often happen to match the regular ones.The basis for this conjugation is an irregular stem quisUse the stem quis in each person
Next, add to this irregular stem the endings specific to each person. There are a few irregular among these
Add an irregular ending -e for the first person singular. It is irregular here, but it’s also typical for all the verbs with irregular conjugation in this tense
Add an ending -iste for the second person singular. It is typical for all the verbs conjugating irregularly in this tense, but it so happens that in case of this person it is exactly the same as in regular conjugation of the entire -er verb group
Add an irregular ending -o for the third person singular. And one more time, it is irregular here, but it’s also typical for all the verbs with irregular conjugation in this tense
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Add an ending -imos for the first person plural. And once more, it is typical for all the verbs conjugating irregularly in this tense, but it so happens that in case of this person it is exactly the same as in regular conjugation of the entire -er verb group
Add an ending -isteis for the second person plural. Again, it is typical for all the verbs conjugating irregularly in this tense, but it so happens that in case of this person it is exactly the same as in regular conjugation of the entire -er verb group
Add an ending -ieron for the third person plural. Like in the previous case, it is typical for all the verbs conjugating irregularly in this tense, but it so happens that in case of this person it is exactly the same as in regular conjugation of the entire -er verb group

Hurray! The conjugation is now finished. The final result looks as follows:

yoquiseI wanted
quisisteyou wanted
él/ella/ustedquisohe/she/it wanted
nosotros/nosotrasquisimoswe wanted
vosotros/vosotrasquisisteisyou wanted
ellos/ellas/ustedesquisieronthey wanted
Click to see all conjugation charts of querer in every tense

But do not end your session yet – it is very important to repeat and practice the material in order to remember it. Check below for example sentences and some links.

Example sentences

Habiendo leído todas las noticias de los diarios, quise salir a por un café.
Having read all the news of the day, I wanted to go out for a coffee.

Next Steps to Perfection

  • 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 querer visit our Exercise section
  • To see conjugation charts in all tenses for querer visit the Conjugator
  • To explore other learning materials visit the Study section

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