Can soler be used in the past tense?

Question

I know that you can say, for example: "Suele hace la tarea." But can you conjugate soler in the past tense or in other tenses than just the present tense? And what would the translation be? Thanks everyone for your help

Answer 1

But can you conjugate soler in the past tense or in other tenses than just the present tense?

Yes, you can... as long as it makes sense, because "soler" implies that something is happening all the time without referring to an end, which is the opposite of what preterite and all perfect tenses are used for.

Suelo ir = I usually go

Solía ir = I used to go

I have the impression that the word soler is less common in Latin America.

In every single country in Latin America? Even in Patagonia? Man, you must travel a lot!!

There's not a huge difference between "En invierno suele anochecer temprano". and "En invierno anochece temprano."

Yes, there is. "Suele" means normally, but not necessarily every time. WIthout "soler" means all the time.

Answer 2

soler means to use to, to be accustomed to

soler

(Conjug. like MOVER; it´s not used in future, conditional, nor imperative).

Auxiliary verb. followed by a verb, expresses that the action is usual or frequent

En invierno suele anochecer temprano.

Yo suelo comer a las tres.

No suele nevar en esta época del año.

No solíamos coincidir en nuestras opiniones.

Han cerrado la cafetería a la que yo solía ir.

Suelen ser muy valientes.

[RAE: Diccionario del estudiante]

Answer 3

Welcome. Sure it can. Just type it into the dictionary above and it will give you all the conjugations you could ever want.

Answer 4

I have the impression that the word soler is less common in Latin America. My friends don't use and I don't often see it in writing. Arguably, it can generally be left out. There's not a huge difference between "En invierno suele anochecer temprano". and "En invierno anochece temprano."

Or you can add an adverbial phrase: Normalmente yo como a las tres.