engendrar Imperfect Conjugation
engendrar — to give rise to
The imperfect of engendrar (engendraba, engendrabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
engendrar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect tense to describe actions that were happening continuously in the past, habitual actions, or to set the scene. For 'engendrar', it could be 'Cuando era joven, engendraba muchas preguntas' (When I was young, I generated many questions).
Notes on engendrar in the Imperfect
Engendrar is regular in the imperfect indicative tense. It follows the standard conjugation pattern for -ar verbs.
Example Sentences
Yo engendraba ideas todo el tiempo.
I used to generate ideas all the time.
yo
¿Tú engendrabas proyectos ambiciosos en esa época?
Were you working on ambitious projects back then?
tú
El proceso engendraba calor constantemente.
The process constantly generated heat.
él/ella/usted
Ellos engendraban tensiones sin darse cuenta.
They were creating tension without realizing it.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect for habitual past actions.
Correct: For repeated or ongoing actions in the past, use the imperfect: 'Siempre engendraba excusas'.
Why: The imperfect describes background actions, habits, and ongoing states, unlike the preterite which marks completed events.
Mistake: Confusing the nosotros imperfect form with the present indicative.
Correct: The imperfect nosotros form is 'engendrábamos', distinct from the present 'engendramos'.
Why: The imperfect form has the characteristic '-aba' ending.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: engendro
The present tense of engendrar (engendro, engendras, etc.) is used for current actions, habits, and general truths.
Preterite
yo: engendré
The preterite of engendrar is regular: engendré, engendraste, engendró, engendramos, engendrasteis, engendraron.
Future
yo: engendraré
The future tense of engendrar (engendraré, engendrarás, etc.) talks about what will happen.
Conditional
yo: engendraría
The conditional of engendrar (engendraría, engendrarías, etc.) expresses hypotheticals and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: engendre
The present subjunctive of engendrar (engendre, engendres, etc.) expresses wishes, doubts, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: engendrara
The imperfect subjunctive of engendrar (engendrara, engendraras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals and wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: engendra
Use the imperative of engendrar for direct commands like 'engendra tú' or 'engendren ustedes'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no engendres
Negative commands with 'no' use the present subjunctive, like 'no engendres tú' or 'no engendren ustedes'.