decretar Imperfect Conjugation
decretar — to decree
The imperfect of decretar is regular: decretaba, decretabas, decretaba, decretábamos, decretabais, decretaban.
decretar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect of decretar to describe habitual or ongoing actions of decreeing in the past, or to set the scene. For example, 'He used to decree...' or 'They were decreeing...'.
Notes on decretar in the Imperfect
Decretar is regular in the imperfect indicative tense. The forms are consistent with other -ar verbs.
Example Sentences
Cuando era joven, él decretaba muchas reglas.
When he was young, he used to decree many rules.
él/ella/usted
Los antiguos líderes decretaban edictos con frecuencia.
The old leaders frequently decreed edicts.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Mientras el rey dormía, su consejero decretaba cambios.
While the king slept, his advisor was decreeing changes.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros decretábamos la paz en cada reunión.
We used to decree peace in every meeting.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect for a single, completed decree.
Correct: For a one-time decree in the past, use the preterite: 'decretó'.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions, not specific completed events.
Mistake: Confusing the imperfect 'decretaba' with the conditional 'decretaría'.
Correct: 'Decretaba' describes past habits/ongoing actions; 'decretaría' describes hypotheticals ('would decree').
Why: These tenses have different meanings and uses.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: decreto
The present tense of decretar is regular: decreto, decretas, decreta, decretamos, decretáis, decretan.
Preterite
yo: decreté
The preterite of decretar is regular: decreté, decretaste, decretó, decretamos, decretasteis, decretaron.
Future
yo: decretaré
The future of decretar is regular: decretaré, decretarás, decretará, decretaremos, decretaréis, decretarán.
Conditional
yo: decretaría
The conditional of decretar is regular: decretaría, decretarías, decretaría, decretaríamos, decretaríais, decretarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: decrete
The present subjunctive of decretar (decrete, decretes, etc.) expresses wishes, doubts, or emotions about current or future actions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: decretara
The imperfect subjunctive of decretar (decretara, decretaras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: decreta
The imperative of decretar is used for direct commands: decreta, decrete, decretemos, decretad, decreten.
Negative Imperative
yo: no decretes
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive forms: no decretes, no decrete, no decretemos, no decretéis, no decreten.