animar Imperfect Conjugation
animar — to encourage
The imperfect of 'animar' ('animaba', 'animabas', 'animaba') describes ongoing or habitual encouragement in the past.
animar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect for actions in the past that were happening over a period of time ('Él siempre animaba a sus hijos') or repeated actions ('Cada día animaba a los enfermos'). It sets the background.
Notes on animar in the Imperfect
'Animar' is a regular -ar verb in the imperfect indicative tense. All forms follow the standard conjugation pattern.
Example Sentences
Yo animaba a mi hermana cuando estudiaba.
I used to encourage my sister when she studied.
yo
Tú animabas a todos en el equipo.
You used to encourage everyone on the team.
tú
Ella animaba la conversación con sus chistes.
She used to liven up the conversation with her jokes.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros animábamos mucho al grupo.
We used to encourage the group a lot.
nosotros
Ellos animaban a su equipo en cada partido.
They used to cheer for their team at every game.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect for a single, completed act of encouragement.
Correct: For a single event, use the preterite: 'Me animó ayer', not 'Me animaba ayer'.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions, not completed ones.
Mistake: Confusing the imperfect 'animaba' (yo/él/ella/usted) with other forms.
Correct: Ensure you use the correct ending for the subject: 'Yo animaba', 'Tú animabas', 'Él/Ella/Usted animaba'.
Why: The endings clearly distinguish the grammatical person.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: animo
The present tense of 'animar' ('animo', 'animas', 'anima') describes current actions of encouraging or cheering, or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: animé
The preterite of 'animar' (like 'animé', 'animaste', 'animó') describes completed actions of encouraging or cheering in the past.
Future
yo: animaré
The future tense of 'animar' ('animaré', 'animarás', 'animará') indicates actions of encouraging that will happen later.
Conditional
yo: animaría
The conditional of 'animar' ('animaría', 'animarías', 'animaría') is used for hypothetical encouragement ('would encourage') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: anime
The present subjunctive of 'animar' (like 'anime' or 'animes') is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: animara
The imperfect subjunctive of 'animar' (like 'animara' or 'animase') expresses past doubts, wishes, or hypothetical situations.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: anima
Use the imperative of animar for direct commands like 'anima' (you, informal) or 'animen' (you all, formal).
Negative Imperative
yo: no animes
Form negative commands for 'animar' using 'no' plus the present subjunctive, like 'no animes' (don't encourage).