agradar Imperfect Conjugation
agradar — to please
The imperfect of agradar (agradaba, agradabas, etc.) describes past actions or states that were ongoing or habitual.
agradar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect when describing something that used to please someone regularly, or was pleasing over a period of time in the past, without a specific start or end. It sets the scene or describes background conditions.
Notes on agradar in the Imperfect
Agradar is regular in the imperfect tense.
Example Sentences
Cuando era niño, me agradaba mucho jugar en el parque.
When I was a child, I really enjoyed playing in the park.
yo
Su forma de ser siempre agradaba a todos.
Her way of being always pleased everyone.
él/ella/usted
Las canciones que sonaban en la radio nos agradaban bastante.
The songs playing on the radio pleased us quite a bit.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect when a specific completed action in the past occurred.
Correct: If the pleasing action happened once and finished, use the preterite ('Agradó a todos con su discurso'). If it was ongoing or habitual, use the imperfect ('Su discurso agradaba a todos').
Why: The imperfect describes the background or the continuous nature of a past situation, while the preterite focuses on the completion of an action.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: agrado
The present tense of agradar (agrado, agradas, agrada, etc.) means 'to please' or 'to be pleasing' right now or habitually.
Preterite
yo: agradé
The preterite of agradar is regular: agradé, agradaste, agradó, agradamos, agradasteis, agradaron.
Future
yo: agradaré
The future tense of agradar (agradaré, agradarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen or expresses probability.
Conditional
yo: agradaría
The conditional of agradar (agradaría, agradarías, etc.) is used for hypotheticals ('would please'), polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: agrade
The present subjunctive of agradar (agrade, agrades, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: agradara
The imperfect subjunctive of agradar (agradara/agradase forms) is for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: agrada
Use the imperative of agradar for direct commands: agrada, agrade, agrademos, agradad, agraden.
Negative Imperative
yo: no agrades
Negative commands for agradar use the present subjunctive: no agrades, no agrade, no agrademos, no agradéis, no agraden.