emprender Imperfect Conjugation
emprender — to undertake
The imperfect of 'emprender' is 'emprendía', 'emprendías', 'emprendía', 'emprendíamos', 'emprendíais', 'emprendían' for past ongoing or habitual actions.
emprender Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect for describing background situations in the past, habitual actions ('When I was young, I used to undertake challenges'), or ongoing actions ('He was embarking on the journey when...').
Notes on emprender in the Imperfect
Emprender is regular in the imperfect indicative. All forms follow the standard -er verb conjugation pattern.
Example Sentences
Yo emprendía proyectos ambiciosos cuando era joven.
I used to undertake ambitious projects when I was young.
yo
Tú siempre emprendías el camino más largo.
You always took the longer path.
tú
Ella emprendía la lectura del libro cada noche.
She would start reading the book every night.
él/ella/usted
Ellos emprendían la construcción del edificio.
They were undertaking the construction of the building.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite 'emprendió' for a habitual past action.
Correct: For past habits, use the imperfect: 'Él emprendía proyectos cada mes'.
Why: The preterite is for completed actions, not repeated or ongoing ones in the past.
Mistake: Confusing the imperfect 'emprendíamos' (nosotros) with the preterite 'emprendimos'.
Correct: Remember 'emprendíamos' describes an ongoing or habitual past action, while 'emprendimos' is a completed one.
Why: These tenses have different functions for describing the past.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: emprendo
The present tense 'emprendo', 'emprendes', 'emprende', 'emprendemos', 'emprendéis', 'emprenden' is for current or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: emprendí
The preterite of 'emprender' is regular: 'emprendí', 'emprendiste', 'emprendió', 'emprendimos', 'emprendisteis', 'emprendieron'.
Future
yo: emprenderé
The future tense 'emprenderé', 'emprenderás', 'emprenderá', 'emprenderemos', 'emprenderéis', 'emprenderán' indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: emprendería
The conditional 'emprendería' is used for hypotheticals ('would'), polite requests, and future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: emprenda
The present subjunctive 'emprenda' is used after expressions of desire, doubt, emotion, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: emprendiera
The imperfect subjunctive 'emprendiera' or 'emprendiese' is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: emprende
Use 'emprende' (tú), 'emprenda' (usted), 'emprendamos' (nosotros), 'emprendan' (ustedes), 'emprended' (vosotros) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no emprendas
Use 'no emprendas' (tú), 'no emprenda' (usted), 'no emprendamos' (nosotros), 'no emprendan' (ustedes), 'no emprendáis' (vosotros) for negative commands.