desmoronar Imperfect Conjugation
desmoronar — to crumble
The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions: 'el muro se desmoronaba'.
desmoronar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect tense of 'desmoronar' to describe actions that were happening continuously in the past, or habitual actions. It sets the scene, like describing how an old statue 'used to crumble' over time, or how a wall 'was crumbling' when you saw it.
Notes on desmoronar in the Imperfect
'Desmoronar' is a regular -ar verb and follows the standard conjugation pattern in the imperfect indicative tense.
Example Sentences
El edificio se desmoronaba poco a poco.
The building was crumbling little by little.
él/ella/usted
Cuando era niño, yo desmoronaba las galletas para mi abuela.
When I was a child, I used to crumble cookies for my grandmother.
yo
Las ruinas se desmoronaban por la falta de mantenimiento.
The ruins were crumbling due to the lack of maintenance.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Tú desmoronabas la arena para hacer figuras.
You used to crumble the sand to make figures.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect for a single, completed action.
Correct: Use 'se desmoronó' (preterite) for 'the cookie broke,' not 'se desmoronaba.'
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual actions, not a single completed event.
Mistake: Confusing the 'yo' and 'él/ella/usted' forms.
Correct: Both are 'desmoronaba,' but context clarifies who is crumbling.
Why: These forms are identical, which is common for regular -ar verbs in the imperfect.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: desmorono
The present tense describes habitual actions or things happening now: 'La pared se desmorona'.
Preterite
yo: desmoroné
The preterite of desmoronar is regular: desmoroné, desmoronaste, desmoronó, desmoronamos, desmoronasteis, desmoronaron.
Future
yo: desmoronaré
The future tense indicates what will happen: 'El techo se desmoronará'.
Conditional
yo: desmoronaría
The conditional expresses hypotheticals ('would crumble') or polite requests: 'se desmoronaría'.
Present Subjunctive
yo: desmorone
Use the present subjunctive after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion: 'Espero que desmorones'.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: desmoronara
The imperfect subjunctive expresses past hypotheticals or wishes, like 'si desmoronara'.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: desmorona
Use desmorona (tú) and desmorona(n) (usted/ustedes) for commands, but remember desmorona for tú is regular.
Negative Imperative
yo: no desmorones
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive: no desmorones, no desmorone(n).