empeñar Imperfect Conjugation

When to Use the Imperfect

The imperfect tense describes ongoing actions, habitual actions, or sets the scene in the past. For 'empeñar', it could mean someone used to pawn things regularly, or was in the process of pawning something.

Notes on empeñar in the Imperfect

'Empeñar' is regular in the imperfect indicative tense, following the standard -ar verb pattern.

Example Sentences

• Cuando era joven, empeñaba mis libros para comprar comida.

  When I was young, I used to pawn my books to buy food.

  yo

• Tú empeñabas tu palabra en cada reunión.

  You used to pledge your word at every meeting.

  tú

• Ella empeñaba su anillo cada vez que necesitaba dinero.

  She would pawn her ring every time she needed money.

  él/ella/usted

• Ellos empeñaban en conseguir la victoria.

  They were determined to achieve victory.

  ellos/ellas/ustedes

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Using the preterite ('empeñó') instead of the imperfect ('empeñaba') for a habitual past action.

  Correct: For actions that happened repeatedly or continuously in the past, use the imperfect: 'Empeñaba mi reloj cada semana'.

  Why: The imperfect describes duration or repetition, while the preterite describes a single, completed event.

• Mistake: Forgetting the double 'b' in the imperfect forms.

  Correct: All imperfect forms for -ar verbs have 'aba' or 'ábamos': 'empeñaba', 'empeñábamos'.

  Why: This is the defining characteristic of the imperfect tense for -ar verbs.

Related Tenses