In this guide, we will explore how to express the past tense of the Spanish verb “empezar” (to start) in both formal and informal contexts. We will also provide tips, examples, and cover any regional variations when necessary. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
The Formal Way
When speaking formally, such as in official settings or with people you don’t know well, it’s important to use the appropriate verb conjugation to express the past tense of “empezar.” In Spanish, the formal way to say “empezar” in the past tense is:
“Comencé”
You may notice that “comencé” shares the same root as “empezar” but is conjugated to match the past tense. Let’s see this in action with a few examples:
- Yo comencé el proyecto ayer. (I started the project yesterday.)
- María comenzó a estudiar español hace un año. (María started studying Spanish a year ago.)
- El equipo comenzó el partido con gran determinación. (The team started the match with great determination.)
The Informal Way
When speaking informally, such as with friends or family, the verb conjugation for “empezar” in the past tense changes slightly. In this context, the informal way to say “empezar” in the past tense is:
“Empecé”
The main difference here is the use of “empecé” instead of “comencé.” Let’s see some examples:
- Ana me contó que empezó a trabajar en una nueva empresa. (Ana told me that she started working at a new company.)
- Ayer, mis amigos y yo empezamos a ver una nueva serie en Netflix. (Yesterday, my friends and I started watching a new series on Netflix.)
- Tú empezaste a caminar sin ayuda antes que los demás. (You started walking without assistance before the others.)
Additional Tips
Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind when using “empezar” in the past tense:
- Remember to match the gender and number of the subject with the past tense form of “empezar.” For example, if talking about a group of women who started something, it would be “ellas empezaron.”
- The past tense form of “empezar” is often used together with time expressions like “ayer” (yesterday), “hace una semana” (a week ago), or “en 1999” (in 1999). This helps specify when the action took place.
- Don’t forget to use the appropriate pronoun with the verb conjugation. For instance, “yo comencé” or “tú comenzaste.”
- Practice using the past tense of “empezar” in different contexts to reinforce your understanding and fluency.
Now that you have a solid understanding of how to say “empezar” in the past tense, you can confidently express actions that have already started and deepen your Spanish language skills.
Remember, language learning is a journey, so continue practicing and exploring new topics to enhance your fluency and confidence. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)
