aportar Imperfect Conjugation
aportar — to contribute
The imperfect of aportar (aportaba, aportabas, aportaban) describes past habits or ongoing contributions.
aportar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect tense of 'aportar' to describe habitual actions in the past ('I used to contribute money') or ongoing actions in the past that set the scene ('While he was contributing his ideas, she was listening').
Notes on aportar in the Imperfect
Aportar is regular in the imperfect indicative. All forms are straightforward.
Example Sentences
Yo aportaba ideas en todas las reuniones.
I used to contribute ideas in all the meetings.
yo
Tú siempre aportabas calma en situaciones tensas.
You always contributed calmness in tense situations.
tú
Ella aportaba mucho al debate.
She contributed a lot to the debate.
él/ella/usted
Ellos aportaban fondos para el proyecto cada año.
They contributed funds for the project every year.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect for a single, completed past contribution.
Correct: For a specific, finished act, use the preterite: 'Aportó una solución' (He contributed a solution). Use imperfect for habits or descriptions: 'Siempre aportaba soluciones' (He always contributed solutions).
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or repeated actions, not single completed events.
Mistake: Confusing the imperfect 'aportábamos' with the preterite 'aportamos'.
Correct: Imperfect is 'aportábamos' (ongoing/habitual past), preterite is 'aportamos' (completed past).
Why: The '-ba' ending signifies the imperfect tense, distinguishing it from the preterite.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: aporto
The present tense of aportar (aporta, aporto, aportamos, etc.) describes current or habitual contributions.
Preterite
yo: aporté
The preterite of aportar is regular: aporté, aportaste, aportó, aportamos, aportasteis, aportaron.
Future
yo: aportaré
The future tense of aportar (aportaré, aportarás, aportará, etc.) indicates future contributions.
Conditional
yo: aportaría
The conditional of aportar (aportaría, aportarías, aportaría, etc.) expresses hypotheticals ('would contribute').
Present Subjunctive
yo: aporte
The present subjunctive of aportar (aporte, aportes, aportemos, aporten) expresses wishes, doubts, and emotions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: aportara
The imperfect subjunctive of aportar (aportara/aportase) is used for past hypotheticals or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: aporta
The imperative of aportar uses regular commands like 'aporta' (tú) and 'aporten' (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no aportes
Negative commands for 'aportar' use 'no' plus the present subjunctive, like 'no aportes' (tú) and 'no aporten' (ustedes).