deportar Imperfect Conjugation

When to Use the Imperfect

Use the imperfect tense for deportar to describe actions of deportation that were ongoing, habitual, or set the background scene in the past. For example, describing a policy of deportation that was in effect for a long time.

Notes on deportar in the Imperfect

Deportar is regular in the imperfect tense. All forms follow the standard '-ar' imperfect conjugation.

Example Sentences

• Cuando era niño, mi país deportaba a muchos extranjeros.

  When I was a child, my country used to deport many foreigners.

  él/ella/usted

• Ellos deportaban a los disidentes políticos regularmente.

  They used to deport political dissidents regularly.

  ellos/ellas/ustedes

• Yo deportaba a los intrusos de mi propiedad.

  I used to deport intruders from my property.

  yo

• Nosotros deportábamos a los que no tenían permiso.

  We used to deport those who didn't have permission.

  nosotros

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect: 'Ellos deportaron a los disidentes cada mes'.

  Correct: For habitual actions in the past, use the imperfect: 'Ellos deportaban...'.

  Why: The imperfect describes repeated or ongoing actions, while the preterite describes a single completed event.

• Mistake: Confusing the imperfect 'deportaba' (yo/él/ella/usted) with the preterite 'deportó' (él/ella/usted).

  Correct: Remember the endings: 'deportaba' for imperfect, 'deportó' for preterite.

  Why: These forms have different meanings and endings, crucial for distinguishing ongoing past actions from completed ones.

Related Tenses