datar Imperfect Conjugation

When to Use the Imperfect

Use the imperfect of 'datar' to describe actions of dating that were habitual or ongoing in the past, or to set the scene. For instance, 'Cuando era joven, databa todas mis cartas' (When I was young, I used to date all my letters) describes a past habit.

Notes on datar in the Imperfect

'Datar' is regular in the imperfect indicative. The pattern is to take the 'nosotros' form of the present indicative ('datamos'), remove the -mos, and add the imperfect endings: -aba, -abas, -aba, -ábamos, -abais, -aban.

Example Sentences

• Yo databa las entradas del cine cuando era niño.

  I used to date the cinema tickets when I was a child.

  yo

• ¿Tú databas los documentos importantes en ese entonces?

  Did you use to date the important documents back then?

  tú

• Él databa la correspondencia al llegar.

  He would date the correspondence upon arrival.

  él/ella/usted

• Nosotros datábamos las facturas cada mañana.

  We used to date the invoices every morning.

  nosotros

• Ellos databan los hallazgos en el laboratorio.

  They were dating the findings in the lab.

  ellos/ellas/ustedes

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Using the preterite 'dató' instead of the imperfect 'databa' for a background or habitual action.

  Correct: Use 'databa' for ongoing or repeated actions, like 'Databa las cartas todos los días'.

  Why: The imperfect describes actions in progress or habits, whereas the preterite describes a single, completed event.

• Mistake: Confusing the 'yo' and 'él/ella/usted' forms.

  Correct: Both are 'databa' but refer to different subjects.

  Why: Spanish often omits subject pronouns when clear from context, so 'databa' could mean 'I was dating' or 'He/She/You was/were dating'.

Related Tenses