enfatizar Imperfect Conjugation
enfatizar — to emphasize
The imperfect of enfatizar is regular: enfatizaba, enfatizabas, enfatizaba, enfatizábamos, enfatizabais, enfatizaban.
enfatizar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect to describe a recurring theme someone used to highlight in the past, or to set the scene for what was being emphasized during an event.
Notes on enfatizar in the Imperfect
This verb is completely regular in the imperfect. Note the accent on the 'nosotros' form (enfatizábamos).
Example Sentences
Mi abuelo siempre enfatizaba la honestidad.
My grandfather always used to emphasize honesty.
él/ella/usted
Mientras hablaban, ellos enfatizaban los riesgos.
While they were talking, they were emphasizing the risks.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
En la escuela enfatizábamos mucho el deporte.
In school, we used to emphasize sports a lot.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: enfatizabamos
Correct: enfatizábamos
Why: The 'nosotros' form of -ar verbs in the imperfect always requires an accent on the first 'a' of the ending.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: enfatizo
Enfatizar is completely regular in the present indicative: enfatizo, enfatizas, enfatiza, enfatizamos, enfatizáis, enfatizan.
Preterite
yo: enfaticé
Enfatizar is regular except for the 'yo' form, which changes to 'enfaticé' to preserve the sound.
Future
yo: enfatizaré
The future of enfatizar is regular: enfatizaré, enfatizarás, enfatizará, enfatizaremos, enfatizaréis, enfatizarán.
Conditional
yo: enfatizaría
The conditional of enfatizar is regular: enfatizaría, enfatizarías, enfatizaría, enfatizaríamos, enfatizaríais, enfatizarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: enfatice
Enfatizar undergoes a spelling change from 'z' to 'c' in all persons: enfatice, enfatices, enfatice, enfaticemos, enfaticéis, enfaticen.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: enfatizara
The imperfect subjunctive of enfatizar is regular, using the -ra or -se endings: enfatizara, enfatizaras, enfatizara, etc.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: enfatiza
The affirmative imperative uses 'enfatiza' (tú) and 'enfaticen' (ustedes), with the z-to-c change in formal forms.
Negative Imperative
yo: no enfatices
The negative imperative always uses the present subjunctive forms: no enfatices, no enfatice, no enfaticen.