The imperfect describes ongoing, habitual, or background actions in the past. It sets scenes and tells what used to happen.
Usage
Use the imperfect for repeated actions, descriptions, mental or physical states, time, age, and actions that were in progress. It contrasts with the preterite, which marks completed events.
Regular Verbs
Regular verbs follow predictable endings in the imperfect for each of the three conjugation groups. These patterns make it easy to describe past habits and scenes.
-ar Verbs
-er Verbs
-ir Verbs
Common Verbs
Some common verbs are especially useful in the imperfect for descriptions and habitual actions. These include ser, estar, tener, hacer, querer, and poder.
| Spanish Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| ser | to be | |
| estar | to be | |
| tener | to have | |
| hacer | to do, to make | |
| querer | to want | |
| poder | to be able to |
Key Expressions
Key expressions often signal the use of the imperfect. These time phrases help frame habitual actions and ongoing past contexts.
| Spanish Expression | English Expression | |
|---|---|---|
| siempre | always | |
| a menudo | often | |
| todos los días | every day | |
| mientras | while | |
| de niño/a | as a child | |
| normalmente | normally |
Contrast with Preterite
The imperfect sets the scene and describes ongoing conditions, while the preterite reports specific completed actions. Use the imperfect for background details and the preterite for events that move the story forward.
Summary
The imperfect describes habitual, ongoing, and background actions in the past. Learn the regular endings, practice common verbs, and use signal expressions to narrate past routines and scenes.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025