detallar Imperfect Conjugation
detallar — to detail
The imperfect of 'detallar' is regular: detallaba, detallabas, detallaba, detallábamos, detallabais, detallaban.
detallar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect for ongoing actions in the past ('Mientras detallaba el informe, sonó el teléfono'), habitual actions ('Antes, detallaba mis gastos cada día'), or descriptions ('La sala detallaba una decoración exquisita'). It sets the scene or describes background.
Notes on detallar in the Imperfect
Detallar is regular in the imperfect tense. All forms are standard and follow the typical -ar verb pattern.
Example Sentences
Yo detallaba el menú para los clientes.
I used to detail the menu for the customers.
yo
¿Tú detallabas las especificaciones en tus correos?
Did you used to detail the specifications in your emails?
tú
Él detallaba los planes con mucha paciencia.
He was detailing the plans with a lot of patience.
él/ella/usted
Ellos detallaban las características del producto.
They used to detail the product's features.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Nosotros detallábamos el proceso paso a paso.
We were detailing the process step by step.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect for descriptions or ongoing past actions.
Correct: For background or repeated actions, use the imperfect: 'Detallaba' (I was detailing/used to detail).
Why: The imperfect describes the ongoing state or habit, while the preterite describes a completed event.
Mistake: Confusing the 'nosotros' form.
Correct: The ending is '-ábamos' for regular -ar verbs in the imperfect: 'detallábamos'.
Why: Spanish learners sometimes struggle with the correct imperfect endings, especially for 'nosotros'.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: detallo
The present tense of 'detallar' is regular: detallo, detallas, detalla, detallamos, detalláis, detallan.
Preterite
yo: detallé
The preterite of 'detallar' is regular: detallé, detallaste, detalló, detallamos, detallasteis, detallaron.
Future
yo: detallaré
The future of 'detallar' is regular: detallaré, detallarás, detallará, detallaremos, detallaréis, detallarán.
Conditional
yo: detallaría
The conditional of 'detallar' is regular: detallaría, detallarías, detallaría, detallaríamos, detallaríais, detallarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: detalle
Use 'detalle', 'detalles', 'detallen', etc., after wishes, doubts, emotions, and impersonal expressions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: detallara
Use 'detallara' or 'detallase' (and variations) for hypothetical past actions or politeness.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: detalla
Use 'detalla', 'detalle', 'detallen', 'detallad', 'detallemos' for direct commands with 'detallar'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no detalles
Use 'no detalles', 'no detalle', 'no detallen', 'no detalléis', 'no detallemos' for negative commands.