detectar Imperfect Conjugation
detectar — to detect
The imperfect (detectaba, detectabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions and background.
detectar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect of 'detectar' to describe actions that were happening over a period of time in the past, or things that used to happen regularly. For example, 'Cuando era niño, detectaba fantasmas en mi habitación' (When I was a child, I used to detect ghosts in my room) describes a past habit. Or 'El perro detectaba a los extraños' (The dog was detecting/used to detect strangers).
Notes on detectar in the Imperfect
Detectar is regular in the imperfect indicative. All forms follow the standard -ar imperfect endings (-aba, -abas, -aba, -ábamos, -abais, -aban).
Example Sentences
Yo detectaba algo raro en el aire.
I was detecting something strange in the air.
yo
¿Tú detectabas las señales de peligro?
Were you detecting the danger signals? / Did you used to detect the danger signals?
tú
El sistema detectaba intrusos constantemente.
The system was constantly detecting intruders.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros detectábamos los cambios sutiles.
We were detecting the subtle changes.
nosotros
Ellos detectaban la presencia del enemigo.
They were detecting the enemy's presence.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite 'detectó' for an ongoing past action.
Correct: Use 'detectaba' for actions that were in progress, e.g., 'El radar detectaba el avión'.
Why: The imperfect describes continuous or habitual actions, while the preterite describes completed actions.
Mistake: Confusing the imperfect 'detectábamos' with the present 'detectamos'.
Correct: Ensure you use the '-aba' ending for the imperfect tense.
Why: The endings are different and indicate whether the action is past or present.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: detecto
The present tense (detecto, detectas, etc.) describes current actions, habits, and general truths.
Preterite
yo: detecté
The preterite of detectar is regular: detecté, detectaste, detectó, detectamos, detectasteis, detectaron.
Future
yo: detectaré
The future tense (detectaré, detectarás, etc.) is used for actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: detectaría
The conditional (detectaría, detectarías, etc.) expresses hypotheticals ('would') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: detecte
The present subjunctive (detecte, detectes, etc.) expresses wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: detectara
The imperfect subjunctive (detectara/detectase forms) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, and doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: detecta
Use the imperative forms detecta, detecte, detectemos, detectad, detecten for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no detectes
Use no + present subjunctive forms (no detectes, no detecte, etc.) for negative commands.