caracterizar Imperfect Conjugation
caracterizar — to characterize
The imperfect of caracterizar is regular: caracterizaba, caracterizabas, caracterizaba.
caracterizar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect to describe ongoing traits or personality characteristics in the past that didn't have a specific end date.
Notes on caracterizar in the Imperfect
This verb follows the standard -ar endings for the imperfect. There are no spelling changes in this tense.
Example Sentences
Su paciencia siempre lo caracterizaba.
His patience always characterized him.
él/ella/usted
Nos caracterizábamos por ser muy ruidosos de niños.
We were characterized by being very noisy as children.
nosotros
Las casas antiguas caracterizaban el centro de la ciudad.
Old houses used to characterize the city center.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the 'nosotros' form.
Correct: caracterizábamos
Why: All 'nosotros' forms in the imperfect -ar conjugation require an accent on the 'á'.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: caracterizo
The present of caracterizar is regular, but remember the 'z' sounds like 's' (or 'th' in Spain): caracterizo, caracterizas, caracteriza.
Preterite
yo: caractericé
The preterite of caracterizar has a spelling change in the 'yo' form: caractericé.
Future
yo: caracterizaré
The future of caracterizar is regular: caracterizaré, caracterizarás, caracterizará.
Conditional
yo: caracterizaría
The conditional of caracterizar is regular: caracterizaría, caracterizarías, caracterizaría.
Present Subjunctive
yo: caracterice
The present subjunctive of caracterizar requires a 'z' to 'c' spelling change in all forms.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: caracterizara
The imperfect subjunctive is regular: caracterizara, caracterizaras, caracterizara.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: caracteriza
The imperative uses 'caracteriza' for tú and 'caracterice' for formal commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no caracterices
Negative commands all use the 'c' spelling change: no caracterices, no caracterice.