derivar Imperfect Conjugation
derivar — to refer
The imperfect of 'derivar' ('derivaba') describes past habits, ongoing actions, or background descriptions.
derivar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect to describe past routines ('Cuando era niño, derivaba mis tareas a mi hermano'), ongoing actions ('Mientras él derivaba la conversación, yo buscaba la información'), or to set the scene ('El sol derivaba cálido sobre la ciudad'). It emphasizes duration or repetition, not completion.
Notes on derivar in the Imperfect
Derivar is regular in the imperfect indicative. The conjugations are: derivaba, derivabas, derivaba, derivábamos, derivabais, derivaban.
Example Sentences
Yo derivaba mis ingresos de trabajos ocasionales.
I used to derive my income from odd jobs.
yo
Tú derivabas la culpa a los demás cuando algo salía mal.
You used to shift the blame to others when something went wrong.
tú
Ella derivaba la conversación hacia temas más ligeros.
She would steer the conversation towards lighter topics.
él/ella/usted
Ellos derivaban el agua de un manantial cercano.
They derived the water from a nearby spring.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Nosotros derivábamos la conclusión lógica del experimento.
We were deriving the logical conclusion from the experiment.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect for habitual actions.
Correct: Use 'derivaba' for past habits, not 'derivó'.
Why: The imperfect describes actions that were repeated or ongoing in the past, whereas the preterite describes single, completed events.
Mistake: Confusing the imperfect and preterite forms, especially 'derivamos'.
Correct: Remember 'derivamos' is the preterite 'nosotros' form, while 'derivábamos' is the imperfect 'nosotros' form.
Why: These forms sound similar but have distinct meanings related to completed vs. ongoing/habitual past actions.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: derivo
The present tense of 'derivar' ('derivo') describes current actions, habits, or general truths.
Preterite
yo: derivé
The preterite of 'derivar' is regular: derivé, derivaste, derivó, derivamos, derivasteis, derivaron.
Future
yo: derivaré
The future tense of 'derivar' ('derivaré') indicates actions that will happen or expresses probability.
Conditional
yo: derivaría
The conditional of 'derivar' ('derivaría') is used for hypotheticals ('would derive'), polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: derive
The present subjunctive ('derive') is used for wishes, doubts, emotions, and recommendations about the present or future.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: derivara
The imperfect subjunctive ('derivara'/'derivase') expresses past doubts, wishes, or hypothetical situations.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: deriva
Use the imperative of 'derivar' for direct commands like 'deriva' (you, informal) or 'deriven' (you all).
Negative Imperative
yo: no derives
Negative commands use the present subjunctive: 'no derives' (you, informal), 'no deriven' (you all).