acortar Imperfect Conjugation
acortar — to shorten
The imperfect 'acortaba(n)' describes ongoing or habitual past actions of shortening.
acortar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect of 'acortar' to describe actions that were happening repeatedly or continuously in the past, or to set the scene. For example, 'He used to shorten his pants every year' or 'The path was shorter then.'
Notes on acortar in the Imperfect
Acortar is regular in the imperfect tense.
Example Sentences
Yo acortaba el pelo cada verano.
I used to shorten my hair every summer.
yo
Tú acortabas las frases en tus correos.
You used to shorten the sentences in your emails.
tú
La carretera acortaba el viaje considerablemente.
The road shortened the journey considerably.
él/ella/usted
Ellos acortaban la distancia para saludarse.
They shortened the distance to greet each other.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect for a single, completed past action.
Correct: Use 'acortó' (preterite) for one completed shortening, not 'acortaba'.
Why: The imperfect describes duration, habit, or setting, not a specific endpoint.
Mistake: Confusing 'acortábamos' (we shortened - imperfect) with 'acortamos' (we shorten - present / we shortened - preterite).
Correct: Pay attention to the accent: 'acortábamos' has an accent on the 'a'.
Why: The accent clearly marks the imperfect tense for the 'nosotros' form.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: acorto
The present tense 'acorto', 'acortas', 'acorta', 'acortamos', 'acortáis', 'acortan' describes current or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: acorté
The preterite of acortar is regular: acorté, acortaste, acortó, acortamos, acortasteis, acortaron.
Future
yo: acortaré
The future tense 'acortaré', 'acortarás', etc., indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: acortaría
The conditional 'acortaría(n)' expresses hypothetical outcomes ('would shorten').
Present Subjunctive
yo: acorte
Use the present subjunctive 'acorte(n)' after expressions of desire, doubt, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: acortara
The imperfect subjunctive 'acortara(n)' or 'acortase(n)' is for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: acorta
Use imperative forms like 'acorta' (tú) and 'acorten' (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no acortes
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive, like 'no acortes' (tú) or 'no acorten' (ustedes).