descifrar Imperfect Conjugation
descifrar — to decipher
The imperfect 'descifraba' sets the scene or describes ongoing/habitual past actions.
descifrar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect of 'descifrar' to describe background information, ongoing actions, or repeated activities in the past. It paints a picture: 'He *used to decipher* messages daily' or 'While I *was deciphering* the text, the phone rang'.
Notes on descifrar in the Imperfect
Descifrar is regular in the imperfect tense. The endings are standard for -ar verbs in this tense.
Example Sentences
Cuando era niño, descifraba mapas antiguos por diversión.
When I was a child, I used to decipher old maps for fun.
yo
Tú descifrabas los mensajes secretos de tu abuela.
You used to decipher your grandmother's secret messages.
tú
Ella descifraba la escritura a mano con facilidad.
She deciphered (used to decipher) handwriting with ease.
él/ella/usted
Ellos descifraban las señales de humo.
They were deciphering (used to decipher) the smoke signals.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite 'descifró' for background or ongoing past actions.
Correct: Use 'descifraba' to describe the setting or continuous past actions.
Why: The imperfect sets the scene or describes duration/repetition, while the preterite describes a completed event.
Mistake: Confusing the imperfect with the present progressive.
Correct: The imperfect 'descifraba' is for past actions; use 'estaba descifrando' for ongoing actions in the past that were interrupted.
Why: While both describe actions in progress, the imperfect is more about background or habit, and the progressive emphasizes the action happening at a specific past moment.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: descifro
The present tense 'descifro', 'descifras', 'descifra' etc. is used for current actions, habits, and truths.
Preterite
yo: descifré
The preterite of descifrar is regular: descifré, descifraste, descifró, desciframos, descifrasteis, descifraron.
Future
yo: descifraré
The future tense 'descifraré', 'descifrarás', etc., is for actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: descifraría
The conditional 'descifraría', 'descifrarías', etc., is for hypotheticals ('would') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: descifre
Use present subjunctive forms like 'descifre' (yo/él/ella/usted) for wishes, doubts, and emotions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: descifrara
Use imperfect subjunctive forms like 'descifrara' or 'descifrase' for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: descifra
Use imperative forms like 'descifra!' (tú) and 'descifren' (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no descifres
Negative commands like 'no descifres' (tú) use the present subjunctive with 'no'.