Inklingo
A person falling back into the arms of a friend, appearing unconscious.

desmayar Imperfect Conjugation

desmayarto faint

A2regular -ar★★★★
Quick answer:

The imperfect of desmayar (desmayaba, desmayabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual fainting in the past.

desmayar Imperfect Forms

yodesmayaba
desmayabas
él/ella/usteddesmayaba
nosotrosdesmayábamos
vosotrosdesmayabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesdesmayaban

When to Use the Imperfect

Use the imperfect of desmayar for actions that were happening repeatedly or continuously in the past, or to set the scene. For example, 'He used to faint a lot when he was a child.'

Notes on desmayar in the Imperfect

Desmayar is regular in the imperfect indicative tense. All conjugations follow the standard -ar pattern.

Example Sentences

  • Cuando era niño, yo me desmayaba fácilmente.

    When I was a child, I used to faint easily.

    yo

  • Tú te desmayabas en las clases de gimnasia.

    You used to faint in gym class.

  • Ella se desmayaba a menudo por la debilidad.

    She often fainted due to weakness.

    él/ella/usted

  • Ellos se desmayaban en las películas de terror.

    They would faint during horror movies.

    ellos/ellas/ustedes

Common Mistakes

  • Mistake: Using the preterite for a description: 'Me desmayé cuando era niño'.

    Correct: 'Me desmayaba'.

    Why: The imperfect is used for descriptions and habitual actions in the past, while the preterite is for single, completed events.

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