dotar Imperfect Conjugation
dotar — to equip
The imperfect of 'dotar' is regular: dotaba, dotabas, dotaba, dotábamos, dotabais, dotaban.
dotar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect tense of 'dotar' to describe ongoing actions in the past, habitual actions, or background settings. For example, 'Cuando era niño, mis abuelos me dotaban de muchos juguetes.' (When I was a child, my grandparents used to equip me with many toys.) It sets the scene or describes what was happening.
Notes on dotar in the Imperfect
'Dotar' is regular in the imperfect tense, following the standard pattern for '-ar' verbs.
Example Sentences
Antes, el ejército dotaba a sus soldados con lanzas.
In the past, the army equipped its soldiers with spears.
él/ella/usted
Mientras estudiaba, me dotaba de muchos libros.
While I was studying, I was equipping myself with many books.
yo
¿Tú dotabas a tus muñecas con ropa hecha a mano?
Did you used to equip your dolls with handmade clothes?
tú
Ellos dotaban la expedición con provisiones suficientes.
They were equipping the expedition with sufficient provisions.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect for habitual or ongoing past actions.
Correct: Use 'Dotaba a mis hijos de consejos' (imperfect) for habitual advice, not 'Doté a mis hijos...' (preterite) which implies a single instance.
Why: The imperfect describes continuity or repetition in the past, whereas the preterite marks a single, completed action.
Mistake: Incorrectly conjugating the 'vosotros' form, e.g., 'dotabais' vs. 'dotáis'.
Correct: The imperfect 'vosotros' form is 'dotabais'.
Why: The imperfect tense adds '-ab-' (for -ar verbs) before the personal ending, distinguishing it from the present tense 'dotáis'.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: doto
The present indicative of 'dotar' is regular: doto, dotas, dota, dotamos, dotáis, dotan.
Preterite
yo: doté
The preterite of 'dotar' is regular: doté, dotaste, dotó, dotamos, dotasteis, dotaron.
Future
yo: dotaré
The future tense of 'dotar' is regular: dotaré, dotarás, dotará, dotaremos, dotaréis, dotarán.
Conditional
yo: dotaría
The conditional of 'dotar' is regular: dotaría, dotarías, dotaría, dotaríamos, dotaríais, dotarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: dote
The present subjunctive of 'dotar' (dote, dotes, dotemos, dotéis, doten) follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: dotara
The imperfect subjunctive of 'dotar' (dotara/dotase) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, and polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: dota
Use 'dota', 'dote', 'dotemos', 'dotad', 'dóten' for direct commands with 'dotar'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no dotes
Use 'no dotes', 'no dote', 'no dotemos', 'no dotéis', 'no doten' for negative commands.