derramar Imperfect Conjugation
derramar — to spill
The imperfect of derramar describes ongoing or habitual past actions like 'used to spill' (derramaba) or 'was spilling' (derramaba).
derramar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect to describe background actions, ongoing situations, or repeated habits in the past. Think of setting the scene or describing what someone 'used to do' or 'was doing' regularly.
Notes on derramar in the Imperfect
Derramar is regular in the imperfect indicative. The endings are standard for -ar verbs: -aba, -abas, -aba, -ábamos, -abais, -aban.
Example Sentences
Cuando era niño, yo derramaba la leche a menudo.
When I was a child, I used to spill the milk often.
yo
¿Tú siempre derramabas algo en la cocina?
Did you always spill something in the kitchen?
tú
El camarero derramaba vino cada vez que servía.
The waiter spilled wine every time he served.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros derramábamos tinta en los cuadernos.
We used to spill ink in our notebooks.
nosotros
Ellos derramaban agua mientras regaban las plantas.
They were spilling water while watering the plants.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite for ongoing or habitual past actions.
Correct: Use the imperfect: 'Derramaba café todos los días' (I used to spill coffee every day).
Why: The imperfect describes continuous or repeated actions, whereas the preterite describes completed actions.
Mistake: Confusing the 'nosotros' form 'derramábamos' with other tenses.
Correct: Ensure context helps differentiate it from the present 'derramamos'.
Why: The nosotros form requires context as it can be ambiguous between present and imperfect.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: derramo
The present tense of derramar means 'to spill' (derramo, derramas, derrama...) and is used for current or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: derramé
The preterite of derramar indicates completed actions like 'I spilled' (derramé) or 'they spilled' (derramaron).
Future
yo: derramaré
The future tense of derramar predicts future actions ('will spill' - derramaré, derramarás...).
Conditional
yo: derramaría
The conditional of derramar expresses hypothetical actions ('would spill' - derramaría) or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: derrame
The present subjunctive of derramar (derrame, derrames, etc.) is used for wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: derramara
The imperfect subjunctive of derramar (derramara/derramase) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: derrama
Use the imperative of derramar for direct commands: ¡derrama!, ¡derrame!, ¡derramemos!, ¡derramad!, ¡derramen!.
Negative Imperative
yo: no derrames
Use negative commands with 'no' plus the present subjunctive: ¡no derrames!, ¡no derrame!, ¡no derramemos!, ¡no derraméis!, ¡no derramen!.