Memorize “Comer” conjugations in the Preterite (Past) Tense effortlessly. Our unique loop-based audio helps you absorb verb forms naturally—just like native speakers. Tap to play and start memorizing 10x faster now!

Pro Tip: Play the audio on a loop while reviewing the conjugation chart to naturally absorb the correct forms. Try it now!

Conjugation Chart of “Comer” (to eat) in the Preterite (Past) Tense

Why Use Loop-Based Learning

• 🧠 Activates natural language processing in the brain
• 🔄 Makes conjugations feel automatic
• 📝 Reduces mental effort compared to rote memorization
• 💡 Builds fluency through repetition

Unlike traditional methods that rely on memorizing rules and grammar drills, our approach mimics how native speakers naturally acquire language—by hearing patterns repeatedly in context. This activates your brain’s phonological loop, making verb forms feel familiar and automatic.

To learn more about the science behind this technique, read our detailed article: The Neuroscience of Language Learning: How Listening on a Loop Strengthens Your Fluency

Understanding the Preterite (Past) Tense of “Comer”

The preterite of comer is used to express when someone ate something at a specific time in the past. For example, you might say “I ate dinner at 7 PM,” indicating a completed action of eating.

This is a regular -er verb that follows the standard preterite conjugation pattern. The conjugations are straightforward and commonly used in everyday Spanish.

How to Use Comer in the Preterite (Past) Tense

The preterite of comer expresses a completed action of eating in the past.

To eat (a meal): Describes consuming food in a specific instance, for example Comí una hamburguesa ayer (I ate a hamburger yesterday) or Comieron temprano (They ate early).

To have a meal: Used for eating in a social context or having a specific meal, for example Comimos juntos en el restaurante (We ate together at the restaurant).

To consume/use up: In colloquial usage, refers to using up resources or defeating someone completely, for example Se comió todo el presupuesto (He/she used up all the budget) or El equipo se comió a sus rivales (The team completely dominated their rivals).

Real Life Examples of Comer in the Preterite (Past) Tense

Comí pasta para el almuerzo. (I ate pasta for lunch.)

¿Comiste algo antes de salir? (Did you eat anything before leaving?)

Mi hermana comió todo su postre. (My sister ate all her dessert.)

Comimos en un restaurante nuevo. (We ate at a new restaurant.)

Los invitados comieron hasta tarde. (The guests ate until late.)

No comí nada en todo el día. (I didn’t eat anything all day.)

¿Por qué no comiste tus verduras? (Why didn’t you eat your vegetables?)

El gato comió todo su pescado. (The cat ate all its fish.)

Comimos pizza después del cine. (We ate pizza after the movies.)

Los estudiantes comieron en la cafetería. (The students ate in the cafeteria.)

Comí demasiado en la fiesta. (I ate too much at the party.)

¿Comiste el pastel que preparé? (Did you eat the cake I made?)

El bebé comió toda su papilla. (The baby ate all their puree.)

Comimos helado en la playa. (We ate ice cream at the beach.)

Los atletas comieron antes de la competencia. (The athletes ate before the competition.)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

Conjugations of Comer (to eat) in the Preterite (Past) Tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Preterite tense is also known as the Simple Past, Past Simple, Definite Past, Absolute Past, or Past Tense Indicative in English, and as Pretérito Perfecto Simple, Pretérito Indefinido, Pretérito Simple, Pasado Simple, or Pretérito de Indicativo in Spanish.