asaltar Imperfect Conjugation
asaltar — to rob
The imperfect of 'asaltar' (asaltaba, asaltabas...) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
asaltar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect of 'asaltar' to describe a situation where robberies were common in the past ('Robberies used to happen frequently in that area'), or to set the scene for another past action ('While he was assaulting the guard...').
Notes on asaltar in the Imperfect
'Asaltar' is a regular -ar verb and conjugates normally in the imperfect tense.
Example Sentences
Cuando era joven, asaltaba pequeños comercios.
When I was young, I used to rob small shops.
yo
Los asaltantes asaltaban a los viajeros en el bosque.
The attackers used to assault travelers in the forest.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Mientras asaltaba la caja fuerte, sonó la alarma.
While he was robbing the safe, the alarm went off.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect for a single, completed past action: 'Ayer asaltaba la tienda'.
Correct: Use the preterite for a specific, completed action: 'Ayer asaltó la tienda'.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions, not single completed events.
Mistake: Confusing 'nosotros' imperfect 'asaltábamos' with present 'asaltamos'.
Correct: The imperfect 'asaltábamos' clearly indicates a past habitual or ongoing action.
Why: While the forms are different from the present, learners might mix up imperfect and preterite for 'nosotros'.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'asaltar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: asalto
The present tense of 'asaltar' (asalto, asaltas, asalta...) describes current actions or habits.
Preterite
yo: asalté
The preterite of 'asaltar' is regular: asalté, asaltaste, asaltó, asaltamos, asaltasteis, asaltaron.
Future
yo: asaltaré
The future tense of 'asaltar' (asaltaré, asaltarás...) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: asaltaría
The conditional of 'asaltar' (asaltaría, asaltarías...) expresses 'would' actions or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: asalte
Present subjunctive forms like 'asalte' (yo) express wishes, doubts, or emotions about present/future events.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: asaltara
The imperfect subjunctive, like 'asaltara' or 'asaltase', expresses hypothetical or unreal past situations.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: asalta
Use imperative forms like asalta (tú) and asalten (ustedes) for direct commands with 'asaltar'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no asaltes
Negative commands like 'no asaltes' (tú) use the present subjunctive after 'no'.