arar Imperfect Conjugation
arar — to plow
Use 'araba', 'arabas', 'araba' etc. for ongoing or habitual past plowing.
arar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
The imperfect is for describing actions in the past that were ongoing, habitual, or set the scene. Think 'I used to plow...' or 'He was plowing when...'.
Notes on arar in the Imperfect
Arar is regular in the imperfect indicative. It follows the standard pattern for -ar verbs.
Example Sentences
Yo araba la tierra con bueyes cuando era joven.
I used to plow the land with oxen when I was young.
yo
¿Tú arabas ese campo a menudo?
Did you plow that field often?
tú
El sol brillaba mientras él araba.
The sun was shining while he was plowing.
él/ella/usted
Ellos araban la misma parcela cada primavera.
They plowed the same plot every spring.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite 'aró' for descriptions or ongoing past actions.
Correct: Use 'araba' for 'He was plowing' or 'He used to plow'.
Why: The imperfect describes continuous or habitual past actions, whereas the preterite describes completed actions.
Mistake: Confusing 'araba' (imperfect) with 'ara' (present indicative él/ella/usted).
Correct: 'Araba' implies past continuous or habitual action.
Why: The final 'a' vs 'aba' makes a big difference in meaning: present vs. past ongoing/habitual.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: aro
Use 'aro', 'aras', 'ara' etc. for actions happening now or habitual plowing.
Preterite
yo: aré
The preterite of 'arar' is regular: aré, araste, aró, aramos, arasteis, araron.
Future
yo: araré
Use 'araré', 'ararás', 'arará' etc. for actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: araría
Use 'araría', 'ararías', 'araría' etc. for hypotheticals ('would') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: are
Use 'are', 'ares', 'aren' etc. after wishes, doubts, or emotions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: arara
Use 'ara' or 'ara' forms like 'arara', 'araras' for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: ara
Use 'ara', 'arad', 'aren', 'aramos', 'are' to give direct commands for 'arar'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no ares
Don't plow! Use 'no ares', 'no aréis', 'no aren', 'no aremos', 'no are' for negative commands.