anhelar Imperfect Conjugation
anhelar — to long for
The imperfect 'anhelaba' / 'anhelaban' describes ongoing or habitual longing in the past.
anhelar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect tense for descriptions in the past, habitual actions, or ongoing states of longing that didn't have a specific end point. It sets the scene or describes background feelings.
Notes on anhelar in the Imperfect
Anhelar is regular in the imperfect tense. All forms follow the standard -ar verb pattern.
Example Sentences
Yo anhelaba ser artista.
I longed to be an artist.
yo
Tú anhelabas ver el mar.
You longed to see the sea.
tú
Ellos anhelaban un cambio.
They longed for a change.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite 'anheló' for a continuous or habitual feeling in the past.
Correct: Use 'anhelaba' for ongoing past desires, like 'Anhelaba la paz cada día'.
Why: The imperfect describes duration or habit, while the preterite describes a single, completed event.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: anhelo
The present tense 'anhelo' / 'anhelan' describes current or habitual longing.
Preterite
yo: anhelé
The preterite of anhelar is regular: anhelé, anhelaste, anheló, anhelamos, anhelasteis, anhelaron.
Future
yo: anhelaré
The future tense 'anhelaré' / 'anhelarán' indicates what someone will long for.
Conditional
yo: anhelaría
The conditional 'anhelaría' / 'anhelarían' expresses hypothetical longing ('would long for').
Present Subjunctive
yo: anhele
Use 'anhele' and 'anhelen' after expressions of desire, doubt, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: anhelara
The imperfect subjunctive 'anhelara'/'anhelase' is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: anhela
Use 'anhela' and 'anhelen' for affirmative commands to 'usted'/'ustedes', and 'anhela' for 'tú'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no anheles
Use 'no anheles' for 'tú' and 'no anhelen' for 'ustedes', following the present subjunctive pattern.