The preterite of tirar is used to express a specific instance of throwing or pulling something in the past, for example Tiré la pelota al jardín (I threw the ball into the garden). This tense emphasizes the completed action of throwing at a particular moment.

This is a regular -ar verb that follows the standard preterite conjugation pattern. Its straightforward conjugation makes it an excellent example for practicing regular preterite forms.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Tirar (to throw/pull) in the Preterite (Past) Tense tense (Latin American Spanish):

The preterite of tirar describes a completed action of throwing or pulling in the past.

To throw/toss: Describes propelling something through the air, for example Tiré la pelota (I threw the ball) or Tiró las llaves desde la ventana (He/she threw the keys from the window).

To pull: Used for pulling or drawing something, for example Tiró de la cuerda (He/she pulled the rope).

To throw away/discard: Used for disposing of something, for example Tiré los papeles viejos (I threw away the old papers).

Examples

Examples of Tirar in the Preterite (Past) Tense

Tiré la pelota al cesto. (I threw the ball into the basket.)

Tiraste las llaves por la ventana. (You threw the keys out the window.)

El niño tiró su juguete al suelo. (The child threw his toy to the floor.)

Tiramos papeles viejos a la basura. (We threw old papers in the trash.)

Los manifestantes tiraron piedras. (The protesters threw stones.)

Tiré de la cuerda con fuerza. (I pulled the rope hard.)

Tiraste la comida que sobró. (You threw away the leftover food.)

El viento tiró los árboles. (The wind knocked down the trees.)

Tiramos la pared vieja. (We tore down the old wall.)

Los niños tiraron agua con globos. (The children threw water with balloons.)

Tiré el periódico de ayer. (I threw away yesterday’s newspaper.)

Tiraste la puerta al salir. (You slammed the door when leaving.)

El jugador tiró a gol. (The player shot at goal.)

Tiramos fotos toda la noche. (We took pictures all night.)

Los pescadores tiraron las redes al mar. (The fishermen threw the nets into the sea.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Tirar (to throw/pull) in the Preterite (Past) Tense 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.