apoderar Imperfect Conjugation

When to Use the Imperfect

Use the imperfect of 'apoderar' to describe actions in the past that were habitual, ongoing, or setting the scene. For example, 'Cuando era joven, mi abuela me apoderaba para ser valiente' (When I was young, my grandmother empowered me to be brave) or 'El miedo se apoderaba de él' (Fear was taking hold of him).

Notes on apoderar in the Imperfect

Apoderar is regular in the imperfect tense. The forms are consistently conjugated with the imperfect endings for -ar verbs.

Example Sentences

• Ella siempre apoderaba a sus hermanos menores.

  She always empowered her younger siblings.

  él/ella/usted

• Mientras los padres dormían, el intruso se apoderaba de la casa.

  While the parents slept, the intruder was taking over the house.

  él/ella/usted

• Yo me apoderaba de las oportunidades que se presentaban.

  I used to take advantage of the opportunities that came up.

  yo

• Antes, los reyes se apoderaban de territorios con facilidad.

  Before, kings used to take over territories easily.

  ellos/ellas/ustedes

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Using the preterite 'apoderó' instead of the imperfect 'apoderaba' for a description or habit.

  Correct: Use 'apoderaba' for ongoing or repeated past actions, like 'El artista apoderaba su visión en cada obra' (The artist infused his vision into each work).

  Why: The imperfect describes the background, duration, or repetition of past actions, not a single completed event.

• Mistake: Forgetting the reflexive 'se' in the imperfect tense when 'apoderar' means 'to take control'.

  Correct: Use 'se apoderaba' when describing something taking control, e.g., 'La tristeza se apoderaba de ella' (Sadness was overcoming her).

  Why: The pronominal form 'apoderarse de' requires the reflexive pronoun regardless of the tense.

Related Tenses