The preterite of intentar is used to express a specific attempt made in the past, for example Intenté llamarte tres veces (I tried to call you three times). This tense emphasizes the completed action of trying 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 learning regular preterite forms.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Intentar (to try) in the Preterite (Past) Tense tense (Latin American Spanish):

The preterite of intentar expresses a completed attempt or try in the past.

To try/attempt: Describes making an effort to do something, for example Intenté llamarte ayer (I tried to call you yesterday) or Lo intentaron varias veces (They tried several times).

To make an attempt: Used for specific efforts, for example Intenté resolver el problema yo mismo (I attempted to solve the problem myself).

Examples

Examples of Intentar in the Preterite (Past) Tense

Intenté aprender a tocar guitarra. (I tried to learn to play guitar.)

Intentaste resolver el problema solo. (You tried to solve the problem alone.)

El atleta intentó romper el récord. (The athlete tried to break the record.)

Intentamos llegar a tiempo. (We tried to arrive on time.)

Los científicos intentaron encontrar una cura. (The scientists tried to find a cure.)

Intenté contactarte varias veces. (I tried to contact you several times.)

Intentaste cocinar una receta nueva. (You tried to cook a new recipe.)

El estudiante intentó aprobar el examen. (The student tried to pass the exam.)

Intentamos abrir el negocio. (We tried to open the business.)

Los bomberos intentaron salvar el edificio. (The firefighters tried to save the building.)

Intenté cambiar de trabajo. (I tried to change jobs.)

Intentaste arreglar la computadora. (You tried to fix the computer.)

La artista intentó crear algo único. (The artist tried to create something unique.)

Intentamos hacer las paces. (We tried to make peace.)

Los atletas intentaron clasificar para las olimpiadas. (The athletes tried to qualify for the Olympics.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Intentar (to try) 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.