
emanar Imperfect Conjugation
emanar — to emanate
The imperfect 'emanaba' describes ongoing or habitual past actions, or sets the background scene.
emanar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect for actions that were happening continuously in the past, habitual actions, or to describe background details. For 'emanar,' it means something was consistently emitting or giving off qualities over a period.
Notes on emanar in the Imperfect
Emanar is regular in the imperfect indicative.
Example Sentences
La chimenea emanaba humo constantemente.
The chimney was constantly emanating smoke.
él/ella/usted
Cuando era joven, emanaba mucha energía.
When I was young, I used to emanate a lot of energy.
yo
El viejo libro emanaba un olor a polvo.
The old book emanated a smell of dust.
él/ella/usted
Ellos emanaban confianza en cada paso.
They were emanating confidence with every step.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite 'emanó' for descriptions or ongoing past actions.
Correct: Use 'emanaba' for background descriptions or habitual past actions, like 'La casa emanaba misterio'.
Why: The imperfect sets the scene or describes duration, while the preterite indicates a completed event.
Mistake: Confusing the 'yo' and 'él/ella/usted' forms.
Correct: Both 'emanaba' (yo) and 'emanaba' (él/ella/usted) are the same. Context clarifies the subject.
Why: This is a common feature of the imperfect tense for -ar verbs, where yo and él/ella/usted forms are identical.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: emano
The present indicative 'emana' describes actions happening now, habitual actions, or general truths.
Preterite
yo: emané
The preterite of emanar is regular: emané, emanaste, emanó, emanamos, emanasteis, emanaron.
Future
yo: emanaré
The future tense 'emanará' indicates actions that will happen in the future.
Conditional
yo: emanaría
The conditional 'emanaría' expresses hypothetical outcomes, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: emane
Use the present subjunctive ('emane', 'emanes', 'emanemos', etc.) after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: emanara
The imperfect subjunctive ('emanara' or 'emanase') describes hypothetical past situations or expresses wishes/doubts in the past.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: emana
Use 'emana' for tú commands, 'emanad' for vosotros, and 'emane/emane/emanen' for usted/ustedes/ellos/ellas.
Negative Imperative
yo: no emanes
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive: 'no emanes', 'no emane', 'no emanemos', etc.