The preterite of convertir is used to express a specific instance of converting something in the past, for example Convirtió el garaje en un estudio (He converted the garage into a studio). This tense emphasizes the completed action of converting at a particular moment.

This verb follows the e to i stem-changing pattern in the preterite, but only in the third person singular and plural forms. The stem change occurs when the stress falls on these forms.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Convertir (to convert) in the Preterite (Past) Tense tense (Latin American Spanish):

The preterite of convertir indicates a completed action of converting or transforming in the past.

To convert/change: Describes transformation from one form to another, for example Convertí los euros a dólares (I converted the euros to dollars) or Se convirtió en una mariposa (It turned into a butterfly).

To become: Used for transformation of state or identity, for example Se convirtió en el mejor estudiante (He/she became the best student).

To transform: Used for complete change, for example El accidente convirtió su vida (The accident transformed their life).

Examples

Examples of Convertir in the Preterite (Past) Tense

Convertí el garaje en un estudio. (I converted the garage into a studio.)

Convertiste el problema en una oportunidad. (You converted the problem into an opportunity.)

El científico convirtió el agua en vapor. (The scientist converted the water into steam.)

Convertimos la casa vieja en una galería. (We converted the old house into a gallery.)

Los programadores convirtieron los datos en gráficos. (The programmers converted the data into graphics.)

Convertí mis ahorros en inversiones. (I converted my savings into investments.)

Convertiste el documento a PDF. (You converted the document to PDF.)

La empresa convirtió la fábrica en oficinas. (The company converted the factory into offices.)

Convertimos las ideas en realidad. (We converted ideas into reality.)

Los artistas convirtieron la basura en arte. (The artists converted trash into art.)

Convertí el texto a otro idioma. (I converted the text to another language.)

Convertiste la derrota en victoria. (You converted defeat into victory.)

El chef convirtió ingredientes simples en un platillo gourmet. (The chef converted simple ingredients into a gourmet dish.)

Convertimos el sótano en un gimnasio. (We converted the basement into a gym.)

Los arquitectos convirtieron el edificio antiguo en un museo. (The architects converted the old building into a museum.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Convertir (to convert) 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.