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Volver Preterite Practice

Volver (to return, to come back) in the preterite: 14 free exercises with an explanation after every answer, plus the full conjugation table.

14 exercisesStem-changing o→ueA1 – A2 level
IWhat to watch for

In the preterite, volver is completely regular as an -er verb — there is no o→ue stem change here. You simply add the preterite endings to the stem volv-: volví, volviste, volvió, volvimos, volvisteis, volvieron.

The main trap is the written accent: volví (yo) and volvió (él/ella) both need one, while the other forms do not. Note too that volvimos looks the same in the preterite and the present, so the time marker tells you which tense it is.

IIConjugation
volverPreterite
yo
volví
volviste
él / ella / usted
volvió
nosotros
volvimos
vosotros
volvisteis
ellos / ustedes
volvieron
o→ue in the present (vuelvo) and subjunctive; regular preterite and future.
IIIPractice exercises

Practice.

Answer first, then read the explanation. Don't skip it — that's the whole point.

Exercise 01 of 14Tag: Yo form
Fill in the blank

Ayer yo _____ muy tarde de la reunión de trabajo. (volver)

Yesterday I got back very late from the work meeting.

Exercise 02 of 14Tag: Tú form
Fill in the blank

¿A qué hora _____ tú anoche de la fiesta de Andrés? (volver)

What time did you come back last night from Andrés's party?

Exercise 03 of 14Tag: Volver a + infinitive
Fill in the blank

De repente, mi hermano _____ a llamar para pedir disculpas. (volver)

Suddenly, my brother called again to apologize.

Exercise 04 of 14Tag: Nosotros form
Fill in the blank

El año pasado mi familia y yo _____ a México para las fiestas. (volver)

Last year my family and I went back to Mexico for the holidays.

Exercise 05 of 14Tag: Ellos form
Fill in the blank

Los niños _____ empapados de la lluvia esa tarde. (volver)

The children came back soaked from the rain that afternoon.

Exercise 06 of 14Tag: Volver a + infinitive
Fill in the blank

Anoche yo _____ a leer esa carta antes de dormir. (volver)

Last night I reread that letter before going to sleep.

Exercise 07 of 14Tag: Tú form
Fill in the blank

El año pasado tú _____ a estudiar francés después de mucho tiempo. (volver)

Last year you started studying French again after a long time.

Exercise 08 of 14Tag: Él/ella form
Fill in the blank

Marcela _____ del hospital mucho más tranquila ayer. (volver)

Marcela came back from the hospital much calmer yesterday.

Exercise 09 of 14Tag: Ellos form
Fill in the blank

De repente, los turistas _____ corriendo al autobús. (volver)

Suddenly, the tourists came running back to the bus.

Exercise 10 of 14Tag: Nosotros form
Fill in the blank

Anoche mi esposa y yo _____ caminando bajo una lluvia ligera. (volver)

Last night my wife and I walked back under a light rain.

Exercise 11 of 14Tag: Yo form
Fill in the blank

El lunes pasado yo _____ a la oficina después de mis vacaciones. (volver)

Last Monday I returned to the office after my vacation.

Exercise 12 of 14Tag: Él/ella form
Fill in the blank

Ayer el gato _____ a casa después de tres días perdido. (volver)

Yesterday the cat came back home after being lost for three days.

Exercise 13 of 14Tag: Ellos form
Fill in the blank

El año pasado mis abuelos _____ a vivir cerca de nosotros. (volver)

Last year my grandparents came back to live near us.

Exercise 14 of 14Tag: Tú form
Fill in the blank

¿Por qué _____ tú tan temprano de la excursión el sábado? (volver)

Why did you come back so early from the trip on Saturday?

Every answer is explained

Not just a green check. A short paragraph telling you why.

No gamification

No streaks, no points, no leaderboards. Just questions.

No signup

Runs in your browser. Bookmark the topics you want to come back to.

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