Mastering the Verb 'Intentar' in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

The verb intentar is a fundamental part of Spanish vocabulary, often translated as 'to try,' 'to attempt,' or 'to intend.' Understanding how to use intentar effectively can significantly enhance your Spanish communication skills. This guide will delve into the conjugation of intentar, its usage in various contexts, and how it differs from similar verbs.

Understanding the Core Meaning: What does 'Intentar' mean?

The verb intentar is versatile and can be used in a variety of situations. Its primary meanings include 'to try,' 'to attempt,' and 'to intend.' For example:

• Intentar aprender español. (To try to learn Spanish.)
• Intentó resolver el problema. (He attempted to solve the problem.)
• Intentan mejorar su rendimiento. (They intend to improve their performance.)

Conjugation Guide: Mastering the Forms of 'Intentar'

Present Tense

Pronoun	Conjugation
Yo	intento
Tú	intentas
Él/Ella/Usted	intenta
Nosotros/as	intentamos
Vosotros/as	intentáis
Ellos/as/Ustedes	intentan

Preterite Tense

Pronoun	Conjugation
Yo	intenté
Tú	intentaste
Él/Ella/Usted	intentó
Nosotros/as	intentamos
Vosotros/as	intentasteis
Ellos/as/Ustedes	intentaron

Imperfect Tense

Pronoun	Conjugation
Yo	intentaba
Tú	intentabas
Él/Ella/Usted	intentaba
Nosotros/as	intentábamos
Vosotros/as	intentabais
Ellos/as/Ustedes	intentaban

Future Tense

Pronoun	Conjugation
Yo	intentaré
Tú	intentarás
Él/Ella/Usted	intentará
Nosotros/as	intentaremos
Vosotros/as	intentaréis
Ellos/as/Ustedes	intentarán

Conditional Tense

Pronoun	Conjugation
Yo	intentaría
Tú	intentarías
Él/Ella/Usted	intentaría
Nosotros/as	intentaríamos
Vosotros/as	intentaríais
Ellos/as/Ustedes	intentarían

Subjunctive Mood

Pronoun	Conjugation (Present)	Conjugation (Imperfect)
Yo	intente	intentara
Tú	intentes	intentaras
Él/Ella/Usted	intente	intentara
Nosotros/as	intentemos	intentáramos
Vosotros/as	intentéis	intentarais
Ellos/as/Ustedes	intenten	intentaran

Intentar vs. Other Verbs: Choosing the Right Verb for the Context

Intentar vs. Tratar de

While intentar and tratar de both mean 'to try,' they are used in slightly different contexts. Intentar is more about making an effort to achieve a goal, while tratar de is more about the process of trying.

• Intenté aprender español. (I tried to learn Spanish.)
• Traté de aprender español. (I tried to learn Spanish.)

Intentar vs. Probar

Probar means 'to try' in the sense of testing something out. It is often used with objects or actions that are being tested for the first time.

• Intenté el nuevo restaurante. (I tried the new restaurant.)
• Probé el nuevo restaurante. (I tried out the new restaurant.)

Common Idiomatic Expressions or Phrasal Verbs Using 'Intentar'

Intentar algo

This phrase means 'to try something' and is used in various contexts to express an attempt at an action.

• Intenté hablar con él, pero no me escuchó. (I tried to talk to him, but he didn't listen.)

Intentar hacer algo

This phrase means 'to try to do something' and is used to express an effort towards achieving a goal.

• Intenté hacer la tarea, pero fue muy difícil. (I tried to do the homework, but it was very difficult.)

Intentar algo por última vez

This phrase means 'to try something for the last time' and is used to express a final attempt at an action.

• Intenté hablar con él por última vez, pero no cambió de opinión. (I tried to talk to him for the last time, but he didn't change his mind.)

Practical Examples and Checklist for Mastering 'Intentar'

Example Sentences

1. Intenté llamar a mi amigo, pero no contestó el teléfono. (I tried to call my friend, but he didn't answer the phone.)
2. Intentan mejorar su rendimiento en el trabajo. (They try to improve their performance at work.)
3. Intenté aprender a tocar la guitarra, pero fue muy difícil. (I tried to learn to play the guitar, but it was very difficult.)
4. Intentó resolver el problema, pero no pudo. (He tried to solve the problem, but he couldn't.)
5. Intentan encontrar una solución al problema. (They try to find a solution to the problem.)

Checklist for Mastering 'Intentar'

• Understand the basic meanings of intentar: to try, to attempt, to intend.
• Practice conjugating intentar in different tenses and moods.
• Use intentar in sentences to express attempts at actions.
• Compare intentar with tratar de and probar to understand the nuances.
• Learn and use common idiomatic expressions with intentar.

Mini Drills

1. Conjugate intentar in the present tense.
2. Write five sentences using intentar in different contexts.
3. Compare intentar with tratar de and probar in sentences.
4. Practice using intentar in the subjunctive mood.
5. Create a dialogue using intentar and other related verbs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Using intentar when tratar de or probar would be more appropriate.
• Mistake: Confusing the conjugation of intentar in different tenses and moods.
• Mistake: Overusing intentar without considering other verbs that might fit better.

By following this comprehensive guide, you will be able to master the verb intentar and use it effectively in your Spanish conversations and writing. Happy learning!