argumentar Imperfect Conjugation
argumentar — to argue
The imperfect of argumentar is regular: argumentaba, argumentabas, argumentaba, argumentábamos, argumentabais, argumentaban.
argumentar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect for ongoing or habitual actions in the past, or to describe background settings. For example, 'Cuando era joven, argumentaba mucho con mi hermano' (When I was young, I used to argue a lot with my brother) or 'El abogado argumentaba apasionadamente' (The lawyer was arguing passionately).
Notes on argumentar in the Imperfect
Argumentar is regular in the imperfect tense. All -ar verbs follow this pattern.
Example Sentences
Yo argumentaba sobre política con mis amigos todos los domingos.
I used to argue about politics with my friends every Sunday.
yo
¿Tú argumentabas mucho en clase?
Did you used to argue a lot in class?
tú
Ella argumentaba que la evidencia no era suficiente.
She was arguing that the evidence was not sufficient.
él/ella/usted
Ellos argumentaban sobre quién tenía la culpa.
They were arguing about who was to blame.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect for a single, completed past action.
Correct: Use the preterite 'argumentó' for a specific, finished argument, e.g., 'Él argumentó su punto ayer'.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing/habitual actions or descriptions, not punctual, completed events.
Mistake: Confusing imperfect with preterite for past habits.
Correct: Use the imperfect ('argumentaba') for past habits or repeated actions ('used to argue', 'would argue').
Why: The imperfect specifically denotes continuity or repetition in the past.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: argumento
The present tense of argumentar is regular: argumento, argumentas, argumenta, argumentamos, argumentáis, argumentan.
Preterite
yo: argumenté
The preterite of argumentar is regular: argumenté, argumentaste, argumentó, argumentamos, argumentasteis, argumentaron.
Future
yo: argumentaré
The future tense of argumentar is regular: argumentaré, argumentarás, argumentará, argumentaremos, argumentaréis, argumentarán.
Conditional
yo: argumentaría
The conditional of argumentar is regular: argumentaría, argumentarías, argumentaría, argumentaríamos, argumentaríais, argumentarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: argumente
Use the present subjunctive (e.g., 'argumente', 'argumentes') after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: argumentara
Use the imperfect subjunctive (e.g., 'argumentara', 'argumentase') for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: argumenta
Use the imperative to give direct commands like 'argumenta' (you, informal) or 'argumente' (you, formal).
Negative Imperative
yo: no argumentes
Use negative commands like 'no argumentes' (you, informal) or 'no argumente' (you, formal) by adding 'no' to the present subjunctive.