acostumbrar Imperfect Conjugation
acostumbrar — to be in the habit of
The imperfect of acostumbrar (e.g., acostumbraba, acostumbraban) describes past habits or ongoing states of being used to something.
acostumbrar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect to describe habitual actions in the past or a background state of being accustomed to something. For example, 'Cuando era niño, me acostumbraba a acostarme temprano.' (When I was a child, I used to get used to going to bed early.) or 'Ella ya se acostumbraba al frío.' (She was already getting used to the cold.)
Notes on acostumbrar in the Imperfect
Acostumbrar is regular in the imperfect indicative tense. The endings are standard for -ar verbs.
Example Sentences
Antes me acostumbraba a leer antes de dormir.
I used to get into the habit of reading before sleeping.
yo
¿Te acostumbrabas a la comida de tu abuela?
Were you getting used to your grandmother's cooking?
tú
Él se acostumbraba a su nueva vida poco a poco.
He was gradually getting used to his new life.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros nos acostumbrábamos a la falta de sol.
We were getting used to the lack of sun.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect for a specific completed instance of getting used to something.
Correct: Use the preterite 'me acostumbré' for a single completed event.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions, not completed ones.
Mistake: Forgetting the reflexive pronoun.
Correct: Always use 'me acostumbraba', 'te acostumbrabas', etc.
Why: 'Acostumbrarse' is a pronominal verb and requires a reflexive pronoun in all tenses.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: acostumbro
The present tense of acostumbrar (e.g., acostumbro, acostumbra) means 'I am used to' or 'I habitually do'.
Preterite
yo: acostumbré
The preterite of acostumbrar is regular, describing completed actions like 'acostumbré' (I got used to) or 'acostumbraron' (they got used to).
Future
yo: acostumbraré
The future tense of acostumbrar (e.g., acostumbraré, acostumbrará) means 'will get used to'.
Conditional
yo: acostumbraría
The conditional of acostumbrar (e.g., acostumbraría, acostumbrarían) means 'would get used to'.
Present Subjunctive
yo: acostumbre
The present subjunctive of acostumbrar (e.g., acostumbre, acostumbres) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: acostumbrara
The imperfect subjunctive of acostumbrar (e.g., acostumbrara, acostumbrase) is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: acostumbra
The imperative of acostumbrar gives direct commands, like 'acostumbra' (you, informal) or 'acostumbren' (you, plural).
Negative Imperative
yo: no acostumbres
Negative commands for acostumbrar use the present subjunctive, like 'no acostumbres' (don't get used to it).