cancelar Imperfect Conjugation

When to Use the Imperfect

Use the imperfect of 'cancelar' to describe something that used to happen regularly in the past ('Antes cancelaba todas las reuniones') or to set the scene for another past event ('Mientras preparaba la cena, cancelaba llamadas').

Notes on cancelar in the Imperfect

'Cancela' is regular in the imperfect tense. All forms are standard for -ar verbs in this tense.

Example Sentences

• Yo cancelaba mi suscripción cada verano.

  I used to cancel my subscription every summer.

  yo

• Tú cancelabas las entradas si no podías ir.

  You used to cancel the tickets if you couldn't go.

  tú

• Él cancelaba la reunión cuando estaba enfermo.

  He would cancel the meeting when he was sick.

  él/ella/usted

• Ellos cancelaban las órdenes perdidas.

  They used to cancel lost orders.

  ellos/ellas/ustedes

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect for habitual actions: 'Ayer canceló el plan'.

  Correct: For a habitual past action, use the imperfect: 'Antes cancelaba el plan'. The preterite implies a single, completed event.

  Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or repeated actions in the past, whereas the preterite describes a specific, completed action.

• Mistake: Confusing 'cancelaba' (yo) with 'cancelaba' (él/ella/usted).

  Correct: The form is the same; context determines the subject.

  Why: This is a common feature of the imperfect tense for -ar verbs where yo, él/ella/usted share the same form.

Related Tenses