derrotar Imperfect Conjugation
derrotar — to defeat
The imperfect tense, like 'derrotaba' (I used to defeat) and 'derrotaban' (they used to defeat), describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
derrotar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect tense for actions that were happening repeatedly or continuously in the past, or to set the scene. For 'derrotar', it means 'used to defeat' or 'was defeating'. Example: 'Cuando era joven, derrotaba a todos en el juego.' (When I was young, I used to defeat everyone in the game).
Notes on derrotar in the Imperfect
Derrotar is regular in the imperfect indicative. All forms follow the standard pattern for -ar verbs in this tense.
Example Sentences
Él derrotaba a sus rivales fácilmente.
He used to defeat his rivals easily.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros derrotábamos al equipo cada semana.
We used to defeat the team every week.
nosotros
Tú derrotabas a tus enemigos sin piedad.
You used to defeat your enemies without mercy.
tú
Ellas derrotaban a la competencia en cada torneo.
They used to defeat the competition in every tournament.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect for a single, completed past action.
Correct: For a completed past action, use the preterite: 'Derrotó al jefe' (He defeated the boss), not 'Derrotaba al jefe'.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual actions, not single completed events.
Mistake: Confusing imperfect endings.
Correct: Ensure correct endings: '-aba' for yo/él/ella/Ud., '-abas' for tú, '-ábamos' for nosotros, '-abais' for vosotros, '-aban' for ellos/ellas/Uds.
Why: These endings are consistent for regular -ar verbs.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: derroto
The present tense, like 'derroto' (I defeat) and 'derrotan' (they defeat), describes current actions, habits, or general truths.
Preterite
yo: derroté
The preterite of derrotar is regular: derroté, derrotaste, derrotó, derrotamos, derrotasteis, derrotaron, used for completed past actions.
Future
yo: derrotaré
The future tense, like 'derrotaré' (I will defeat) and 'derrotarán' (they will defeat), indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: derrotaría
The conditional tense, like 'derrotaría' (I would defeat) and 'derrotarían' (they would defeat), expresses hypotheticals or polite suggestions.
Present Subjunctive
yo: derrote
Use present subjunctive forms like 'derrote' (yo/él/ella/Ud.) and 'derroten' (ellos/ellas/Uds.) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: derrotara
The imperfect subjunctive, like 'derrotara' or 'derrotase', is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: derrota
Use imperative forms like 'derrota' (tú) and 'derroten' (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no derrotes
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive, like 'no derrotes' (tú) and 'no derroten' (ustedes).