apuntar Imperfect Conjugation
apuntar — to write down
The imperfect of apuntar is regular: apuntaba, apuntabas, apuntaba, apuntábamos, apuntabais, apuntaban.
apuntar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect of 'apuntar' to describe habitual actions of writing things down in the past, or to set the scene by describing ongoing actions or states in the past.
Notes on apuntar in the Imperfect
Apuntar is regular in the imperfect tense. It follows the standard -ar verb conjugation pattern.
Example Sentences
Yo apuntaba las lecciones en un cuaderno viejo.
I used to write down the lessons in an old notebook.
yo
¿Tú apuntabas las notas de clase?
Did you use to take notes in class?
tú
Él apuntaba las ideas mientras hablaba.
He was writing down the ideas while he spoke.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros apuntábamos los gastos diarios.
We used to write down the daily expenses.
nosotros
Ellos apuntaban la información relevante.
They were writing down the relevant information.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect 'apuntaba' for a single completed action in the past.
Correct: For a specific, finished action like 'He wrote it down once', use the preterite: 'Apuntó la idea'.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing, habitual, or background actions, not single completed events.
Mistake: Confusing the imperfect 'apuntábamos' with the preterite 'apuntamos'.
Correct: Remember that 'apuntábamos' implies duration or repetition ('we used to write'), while 'apuntamos' implies completion ('we wrote').
Why: The distinction is crucial for accurately conveying the nature of past actions.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: apunto
The present indicative of apuntar is regular: apunto, apuntas, apunta, apuntamos, apuntáis, apuntan.
Preterite
yo: apunté
The preterite of apuntar is regular: apunté, apuntaste, apuntó, apuntamos, apuntasteis, apuntaron.
Future
yo: apuntaré
The future tense of apuntar is regular: apuntaré, apuntarás, apuntará, etc.
Conditional
yo: apuntaría
The conditional of apuntar is regular: apuntaría, apuntarías, apuntaría, etc.
Present Subjunctive
yo: apunte
The present subjunctive of apuntar (apunte, apuntes, etc.) follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: apuntara
The imperfect subjunctive of apuntar (apuntara/apuntase) is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: apunta
The imperative of apuntar has regular forms for commands: apunta, apunte, apuntemos, apunten, apuntad.
Negative Imperative
yo: no apuntes
Negative commands with apuntar use the present subjunctive: no apuntes, no apunte, no apuntemos, no apunten, no apuntéis.