desfilar Imperfect Conjugation
desfilar — to parade
The imperfect of desfilar (desfilaba) describes ongoing or habitual past parades.
desfilar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect to describe past parades that were ongoing, habitual, or set the scene. For example, 'Cuando era niño, desfilaba en el desfile local cada verano' (When I was a child, I used to parade in the local parade every summer).
Notes on desfilar in the Imperfect
Desfilar is regular in the imperfect indicative tense. It follows the standard -ar imperfect conjugation.
Example Sentences
Yo desfilaba en la banda cuando iba a la escuela.
I used to parade in the band when I went to school.
yo
¿Tú desfilabas en esas fiestas?
Did you used to parade in those parties?
tú
Él desfilaba en todas las celebraciones importantes.
He paraded in all the important celebrations.
él/ella/usted
Ellos desfilaban lentamente por la calle principal.
They were parading slowly down the main street.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite 'desfiló' for a continuous or repeated action in the past.
Correct: For ongoing or habitual past actions, use the imperfect: 'Ella desfilaba cada año'.
Why: Imperfect describes the background or duration of past events, not necessarily completed ones.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: desfilo
The present tense (desfilo, desfilas, desfila) describes actions happening now or habitual parading.
Preterite
yo: desfilé
The preterite of desfilar is regular: desfilé, desfilaste, desfiló, desfilamos, desfilasteis, desfilaron.
Future
yo: desfilaré
The future tense (desfilaré) indicates actions that will happen, or expresses probability.
Conditional
yo: desfilaría
The conditional (desfilaría) is for hypothetical parades ('would parade') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: desfile
Present subjunctive (desfile) follows expressions of desire, doubt, emotion, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: desfilara
The imperfect subjunctive (desfilara/desfilase) is for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: desfila
Use imperative forms like 'desfila' (tú) and 'desfilen' (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no desfiles
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive, like 'no desfiles' (tú) or 'no desfilen' (ustedes).