entablar Imperfect Conjugation
entablar — to start
The imperfect of entablar is regular: entablaba, entablabas, entablaba, entablábamos, entablabais, entablaban.
entablar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect for ongoing actions in the past ('We were starting a conversation'), habitual actions in the past ('He used to start arguments'), or descriptions/background ('The atmosphere was tense as they started the meeting').
Notes on entablar in the Imperfect
Entablar is regular in the imperfect tense. All forms follow the standard pattern for -ar verbs.
Example Sentences
Cuando yo era niño, entablaba amistad con todos.
When I was a child, I used to make friends with everyone.
yo
Tú entablabas una discusión cada vez que te contradecían.
You used to start an argument every time they contradicted you.
tú
Ella entablaba el negocio con mucha ilusión.
She was starting the business with great enthusiasm.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros entablábamos contacto visual para entendernos.
We were making eye contact to understand each other.
nosotros
Ellos entablaban la conversación mientras llegaban los demás.
They were starting the conversation while the others arrived.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect for a single, completed past action.
Correct: For a finished action like 'starting the meeting at 9 AM', use the preterite ('entabló'). The imperfect ('entablaba') implies duration or habit.
Why: The key difference is completed action (preterite) vs. ongoing/habitual/descriptive action (imperfect).
Mistake: Misplacing the accent in 'entablábamos'.
Correct: The accent is on the 'a': entablábamos. It marks the stress that shifts from the stem in the preterite.
Why: This is a common spelling/pronunciation error for this form.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: entablo
The present tense of entablar is regular: entablo, entablas, entabla, entablamos, entabláis, entablan.
Preterite
yo: entablé
The preterite of entablar is regular: entablé, entablaste, entabló, entablamos, entablasteis, entablaron.
Future
yo: entablaré
The future tense of entablar is regular: entablaré, entablarás, entablará, entablaremos, entablaréis, entablarán.
Conditional
yo: entablaría
The conditional of entablar is regular: entablaría, entablarías, entablaría, entablaríamos, entablaríais, entablarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: entable
The present subjunctive of entablar ('entable', 'entables', etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or influence.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: entablara
The imperfect subjunctive of entablar ('entablara', 'entablaras', etc.) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or politeness.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: entabla
Use 'entabla', 'entable', 'entablemos', 'entablad', 'entablen' for direct commands with entablar.
Negative Imperative
yo: no entables
Use 'no entables', 'no entable', 'no entablemos', 'no entabléis', 'no entablen' for negative commands.