- Examples of the past tense ending
- In the past simple
- Examples
- In the past imperfect or copreterite
- Examples
- In the past pluperfect
- Examples
- In the past perfect compound or pre-present
- Examples
- In the past past or past past
- Examples
- References
The past tense ending is the element located at the end of the verb whose function is to indicate the variations of said verb in relation to time, mood, number and person.
Verbal endings are called conjugation endings and between these endings are distinguished present and past endings.
All verbs are made up of a stem and an ending or ending. The root is the element that expresses the meaning of the verb and that regularly does not undergo modifications.
The ending is located at the end and the respective modification of the verb depends on it. For example, in the verb «ate» conjugated in the past tense, «com» is the root and «ó» is the ending or ending.
Examples of the past tense ending
In the past simple
The termination or desinence is what allows us to understand that the action occurred previously and that it has definitively ended. It is used in narratives.
Examples
- Pedro bought the press and had some tea.
- He ate at 10 at night.
- At last I finished studying!
- I arrived at my office at 3 in the afternoon.
- They ran towards the goal.
In the past imperfect or copreterite
The termination implies that the action began in the past and may continue to occur. It is used in descriptions.
Examples
- That day, Pedro was leaving his house, bought the press and had tea. After a while he entered his room.
- While I was walking, I smelled the perfume of the flowers.
- You're on time, because I was leaving.
- I wanted you to explain something to me.
- We ate pizza at the school meeting.
In the past pluperfect
The ending allows expressing an action that has already happened and occurred prior to another action that was also past. This verb tense is used to describe actions.
Examples
- When we arrived, Ana had already left the office.
- Antonio had already cleaned the bathroom before the kitchen.
- We had not finished the exam when the teacher asked us.
- That day, Maria had left her house without a coat.
- If I'd had time, I would have gone.
In the past perfect compound or pre-present
Completion indicates that the action occurs in an earlier period but has not yet ended. This verb tense is used regularly in spoken speech.
Examples
- We had a delicious cake.
- I went to dinner with a friend.
- Susana had gone out for a moment.
- Tonight you have spoken like never before.
- This year it has snowed little.
In the past past or past past
The ending expresses the action in a past frame that precedes an equally past event. Its use is very frequent in written, cultured and elegant language.
Examples
- When he had finished speaking, he went home.
- Once he had written the book, he wanted to rest.
- There was hardly a chance, she took it.
- As soon as we have completed the project, we approve the matter.
- As soon as he had finished eating the main course, he ordered dessert.
References
- Moreno, C. (2013) Grammar and spelling to date: guide with the main novelties of the Royal Spanish Academy. In: Ebrary.com.
- Peñate, J. (2001) Simple grammar. In: Ebrary.com.
- Santana, O. (sf) Verbal conjugations. Retrieved on October 13, 2017 from: Sepln.org.
- Serrano, M. (1995) On the use of the past perfect and past indefinite in Canary Island Spanish: pragmatics and variation. From: Revitas.uchile.cl.
- Tarricone, L. (2012) Explained grammar: for intermediate levels with exercises + solutions. In: Ebrary.com.