Step-by-step explanation:
In Spanish, the verb "contestar" means "to answer" in English. When conjugated in the preterite tense, the verb "contestar" undergoes specific changes based on the subject of the sentence. Here is a step-by-step guide to conjugating "contestar" in the preterite tense:
1. Identify the subject of the sentence: Determine the person or thing performing the action of answering.
2. Remove the "-ar" ending: Take off the "-ar" ending from the infinitive form "contestar."
3. Add the appropriate preterite ending: Attach the correct preterite ending based on the subject of the sentence. The preterite endings for regular "-ar" verbs are:
- yo (I): -é
- tú (you, informal): -aste
- él/ella/usted (he/she/you formal): -ó
- nosotros/nosotras (we): -amos
- vosotros/vosotras (you all, informal): -asteis
- ellos/ellas/ustedes (they/you all formal): -aron
Here are some examples of "contestar" conjugated in the preterite tense:
- Yo contesté la pregunta. (I answered the question.)
- Tú contestaste el teléfono. (You answered the phone.)
- Él contestó todas las preguntas. (He answered all the questions.)
- Nosotros contestamos la carta. (We answered the letter.)
- Vosotros contestasteis las entrevistas. (You all answered the interviews.)
- Ellos contestaron las solicitudes. (They answered the applications.)
Remember that these examples illustrate the regular conjugation of "contestar" in the preterite tense. Irregular verbs may have different conjugation patterns.