How do I say serve in past tense?

Question

I need to know how to use the past tense for verbs like serve. Thanks.

Answer 1

servir = to serve, but it is what we call a "sole verb" or a "flip flop verb" (there are several names) but basically it will stem change in the preterit yo serví = i served

tú serviste = you served

él/ella sirvió = he/she served

nosotros servimos = we served

vosotros servisteis = you-all served

ellos sirvieron = they served

if you want to talk about something being served over a period of time, you would use the imperfect...

yo servía = i was serving/i used to serve tú servías él/ella/usted servía nosotros servíamos ellos/ustedes servían

Answer 2

oh sorry I never fully explained the "sole verb" concept...it's when the verb only stem changes in the THIRD PERSON singular and plural (he/she/you formal/they/you-all formal). the rest of the verb is normal in the preterit.

Answer 3

Use the dictionary, It will give you the full conjugation for, "servir."