desperdiciar Imperfect Conjugation
desperdiciar — to waste
Use imperfect forms like 'desperdiciaba' (yo) and 'desperdiciaban' (ellos/ellas/Uds.) for ongoing or habitual past actions of wasting.
desperdiciar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
The imperfect is for describing ongoing actions in the past, habitual actions, or setting the scene. For example, 'Cuando era joven, desperdiciaba mi dinero en tonterías.' (When I was young, I used to waste my money on silly things.) It paints a picture of the past.
Notes on desperdiciar in the Imperfect
'Desperdiciar' is regular in the imperfect indicative. The forms are: desperdiciaba, desperdiciabas, desperdiciaba, desperdiciábamos, desperdiciabais, desperdiciaban.
Example Sentences
Yo desperdiciaba mucho tiempo jugando videojuegos.
I used to waste a lot of time playing video games.
yo
Tú desperdiciabas la comida sin darte cuenta.
You were wasting food without realizing it.
tú
Él desperdiciaba el agua sin pensar.
He would waste water without thinking.
él/ella/usted
Ellos desperdiciaban oportunidades constantemente.
They were constantly wasting opportunities.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite 'desperdiciamos' instead of the imperfect 'desperdiciábamos' for habitual past actions.
Correct: Use 'desperdiciábamos' for ongoing or repeated actions in the past.
Why: The imperfect describes duration or repetition, while the preterite describes a completed event.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the 'nosotros' form of the imperfect.
Correct: The 'nosotros' form is 'desperdiciábamos', with an accent on the 'a'.
Why: The accent is necessary to indicate the correct stress and pronunciation.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: desperdicio
Use present forms like 'desperdicio' (yo) and 'desperdicia' (él/ella/Ud.) for actions happening now or habitual wasting.
Preterite
yo: desperdicié
Use preterite forms like 'desperdicié' (yo) and 'desperdició' (él/ella/Ud.) for completed actions of wasting in the past.
Future
yo: desperdiciaré
Use future forms like 'desperdiciaré' (yo) and 'desperdiciará' (él/ella/Ud.) to talk about actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: desperdiciaría
Use conditional forms like 'desperdiciaría' (yo) and 'desperdiciarían' (ellos/ellas/Uds.) for hypothetical situations ('would waste') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: desperdicie
Use present subjunctive forms like 'desperdicie' (yo/él/ella/Ud.) and 'desperdicies' (tú) after expressions of doubt, emotion, or desire.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: desperdiciara
Use imperfect subjunctive forms like 'desperdiciara' or 'desperdiciase' for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: desperdicia
Use imperative forms like 'desperdicia' (tú) and 'desperdicie' (usted) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no desperdicies
Negative commands like 'no desperdicies' (tú) and 'no desperdicie' (usted) use the present subjunctive.