EL IMPERFECTO

Uses of the Imperfect

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The imperfect is used for actions that were repeated habitually.• We would eat together every day.• The ladies would always chat in the mornings.

The imperfect is used for actions that "set the stage" for another action.• I was reading when you entered. (note that

"entered" is preterite)

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The imperfect is used for telling time and stating one's age.• It was seven o'clock at night.• The little girl was running in the room.

The imperfect tense is also used to "set the stage" for an event that occurred in the past.• We were coming home when we saw Juan.

How is the “Imperfecto” used

The imperfect is used for past actions that are not seen as completed. Use of the imperfect tense implies that the past action did not have a definite beginning or a definite end.

The imperfect is used for actions that were repeated habitually.

The imperfect is used for telling time The imperfect is used for stating one's age

To describe mental/emotional states or desires in the past.

To describe a scene or person in the past. The imperfect is used to describe actions that

set the stage for other actions.

How is the “Imperfecto” used

El Imperfecto

There are only two sets of endings for regular imperfect verbs, one for -ar verbs and one for both -er and -ir verbs.

To conjugate a verb in the imperfect form, simply remove the infinitive ending and add the correct imperfect ending depending on the subject of the action.

habl_hablar Yo hablaba por el telephone el lunes.

aba hablaba→ →

Regular “Imperfecto” Forms

Pronouns ar verbs -er and -ir verbs

yo -aba -íatú -abas -ías

usted, él, ella -aba -íanosotros -ábamos -íamosvosotros -abais -íais

ustedes, ellos, ellas -aban -ían

The “Imperfecto” Irregular Endings

There are some verbs that don’t follow the rules of conjugation. In the imperfect tense there are only three irregular verbs: ser, ir, and ver.

The first and third persons are identical so you should not drop the subject as easily as you do in the preterit, unless it is very clear who is the subject.

There are only three irregular verbs in the imperfect. You must simply memorize them.

Pronouns Ser Ir Veryo era iba veíatú eras ibas veías

usted, él, ella era iba veíanosotros éramos íbamos veíamosvosotros erais ibais veíais

ustedes, ellos, ellas eran iban veían

The “Imperfecto” Irregular Endings

Examples of the “Imperfecto”

Repeated actions:– I used to run every day.– Yo corría cada día.

Actions over an extended period of time:– I used to walk frequently.– Yo caminaba frecuentemente.

“Set the stage" for an event that occurred in the past:– We were coming home when we saw Juan.– Veníamos para casa cuando vimos a Juan.

Feelings and mental actions:– Juan was feeling sick.– Juan estaba enfermo.

Examples of the “Imperfecto”

Examples of the “Imperfecto”

The imperfect is frequently associated with phrases that describe the frequency of past actions. – a menudo - often– a veces - sometimes– cada día - every day– cada año - every year– con frecuencia - frequently– de vez en cuando - from time to time