alternaron

Alternaron is a Spanish verb meaning "they alternated" or "they took turns." It is the third-person plural preterite indicative form of the verb alternar. The preterite tense is used to describe completed actions in the past.

The verb alternar can be used in various contexts. For instance, it can describe a situation where two or more people or things switched places or responsibilities. For example, "Los niños alternaron en el uso del columpio" translates to "The children took turns using the swing." It can also refer to things happening in succession or varying between two states. An example would be, "Las temperaturas alternaron entre frío y calor durante la semana" meaning "The temperatures alternated between cold and hot during the week."

The concept of alternation implies a regular or irregular change, where one element is followed by another. This can apply to physical positions, duties, states of being, or even abstract concepts. The preterite form "alternaron" specifically indicates that this alternation occurred and was completed at some point in the past. Understanding the conjugation of verbs like alternar is fundamental to comprehending Spanish grammar and expressing past events accurately.