empujar Imperfect Conjugation

When to Use the Imperfect

Use the imperfect tense for ongoing actions in the past, habitual actions, or descriptions. For example, 'Cuando era niño, empujaba mi coche de juguete' (When I was a child, I used to push my toy car) or 'La puerta se empujaba con dificultad' (The door pushed with difficulty - describing the state).

Notes on empujar in the Imperfect

Empujar is regular in the imperfect tense. All forms follow the standard -ar imperfect conjugation pattern.

Example Sentences

• Yo empujaba la puerta todos los días al salir.

  I used to push the door every day when leaving.

  yo

• Tú empujabas el carrito sin quejarte.

  You used to push the cart without complaining.

  tú

• Él empujaba la silla hacia la ventana.

  He was pushing the chair towards the window.

  él/ella/usted

• Nosotros empujábamos el balón en el campo.

  We were pushing the ball on the field.

  nosotros

• Vosotros empujabais la puerta con cuidado.

  You (plural, informal) used to push the door carefully.

  vosotros

• Ellos empujaban la carreta cuesta arriba.

  They were pushing the cart uphill.

  ellos/ellas/ustedes

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Using the preterite for ongoing or habitual past actions.

  Correct: Use 'empujaba' (imperfect) for habitual actions like 'Siempre empujaba la puerta', not 'empujé'.

  Why: The imperfect describes continuous or repeated actions in the past, while the preterite describes completed ones.

• Mistake: Confusing the imperfect nosotros form with the preterite.

  Correct: The imperfect is 'empujábamos' (with accent on á), while the preterite is 'empujamos' (no accent).

  Why: The accent and ending clearly differentiate the two tenses for the 'nosotros' form.

Related Tenses