contagiar Imperfect Conjugation
contagiar — to infect
Use imperfect 'contagiaba' for ongoing or habitual past actions.
contagiar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
The imperfect tense describes actions that were happening continuously in the past, or actions that were habitual. It sets the scene or describes background details. 'He was spreading rumors,' or 'He used to spread rumors.'
Notes on contagiar in the Imperfect
Contagiar is regular in the imperfect tense. All forms follow the standard -ar imperfect pattern: contagiaba, contagiabas, contagiaba, contagiábamos, contagiabais, contagiaban.
Example Sentences
Yo contagiaba mi entusiasmo a todos en el equipo.
I used to spread my enthusiasm to everyone on the team.
yo
Cuando eras niño, ¿contagiabas fácilmente los resfriados?
When you were a child, did you easily catch colds?
tú
El ambiente contagiava alegría.
The atmosphere spread happiness.
él/ella/usted
Ellos contagiaban la tristeza con sus historias.
They spread sadness with their stories.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect for ongoing past actions.
Correct: For 'He was spreading joy all day,' use 'contagiaba' (imperfect), not 'contagió' (preterite).
Why: The imperfect describes the ongoing nature of the action, while the preterite would imply it was completed.
Mistake: Using the wrong stem for the imperfect.
Correct: The imperfect stem for contagiar is 'contagiab-', e.g., 'contagiaba', 'contagiábamos'.
Why: Ensure you're using the correct stem and endings for the imperfect tense.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: contagio
Use the regular present tense 'contagio', 'contagias', 'contagia' for current or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: contagié
Use the regular preterite 'contagié', 'contagiaste', 'contagió' for completed past actions.
Future
yo: contagiaré
Use the future 'contagiaré', 'contagiarás' for actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: contagiaría
Use conditional 'contagiaría' for hypotheticals ('would') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: contagie
Use present subjunctive like 'contagie' after doubts, wishes, or emotions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: contagiara
The imperfect subjunctive, like 'contagiara' or 'contagiase', is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: contagia
Use imperative forms like 'contagia' (tú) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no contagies
Use 'no contagies' (tú) for negative commands, based on the present subjunctive.