continuar Imperfect Conjugation
continuar — to continue
The imperfect of continuar is regular: continuaba, continuabas, continuaba, continuábamos, continuabais, continuaban.
continuar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect to describe a state of 'continuing' that was happening habitually or without a defined end in the past.
Notes on continuar in the Imperfect
This tense is completely regular. Remember that the 'nosotros' form always has an accent on the first 'a' of the ending (-ábamos).
Example Sentences
Yo continuaba mi rutina todos los días.
I used to continue my routine every day.
yo
Ellos continuaban hablando mientras el profesor explicaba.
They kept on talking while the teacher was explaining.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Continuábamos el viaje a pesar de la lluvia.
We were continuing the trip despite the rain.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the nosotros form.
Correct: continuábamos
Why: All -ar verbs in the imperfect require an accent on the 'á' for the nosotros person.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: continúo
The present of continuar uses a written accent on the 'u' in all forms except nosotros and vosotros: continúo, continúas, continúa, etc.
Preterite
yo: continué
The preterite of continuar is regular: continué, continuaste, continuó, continuamos, continuasteis, continuaron.
Future
yo: continuaré
The future of continuar is regular: continuaré, continuarás, continuará, continuaremos, continuaréis, continuarán.
Conditional
yo: continuaría
The conditional of continuar is regular: continuaría, continuarías, continuaría, continuaríamos, continuaríais, continuarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: continúe
The present subjunctive of continuar requires an accent on the 'u' in most forms: continúe, continúes, continúe, continuemos, continuéis, continúen.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: continuara
The imperfect subjunctive of continuar is regular: continuara, continuaras, continuara, continuáramos, continuarais, continuaran.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: continúa
The affirmative imperative gives direct orders: continúa (tú), continúe (usted), continuad (vosotros), continúen (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no continúes
The negative imperative uses the present subjunctive forms: no continúes, no continúe, no continuemos, no continuéis, no continúen.