equilibrar Imperfect Conjugation
equilibrar — to balance
Use imperfect forms like equilibraba (yo) and equilibraban (ustedes) for ongoing or habitual past actions and descriptions.
equilibrar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
The imperfect tense describes actions that were happening continuously in the past, habitual actions, or sets the scene. Think of describing a past routine ('Solía equilibrar mi tiempo') or background details ('La balanza equilibraba perfectamente').
Notes on equilibrar in the Imperfect
Equilibrar is regular in the imperfect indicative. It follows the standard -ar imperfect endings.
Example Sentences
Yo equilibraba mi dieta cuando vivía en España.
I used to balance my diet when I lived in Spain.
yo
¿Tú siempre equilibrabas las opiniones?
Did you always balance the opinions?
tú
Ella equilibraba el peso con mucha destreza.
She balanced the weight with great skill.
él/ella/usted
Ellos se esforzaban por equilibrar sus finanzas.
They strove to balance their finances.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite for ongoing past actions, e.g., 'Ayer yo equilibraba la comida.'
Correct: For a specific past action like 'yesterday', use preterite: 'Ayer yo equilibré la comida.' Use imperfect for ongoing or habitual past actions: 'Yo equilibraba la comida todos los días.'
Why: Preterite is for completed actions, imperfect is for ongoing/habitual ones.
Mistake: Incorrect 'vosotros' ending, e.g., 'Vosotros equilibraba.'
Correct: The 'vosotros' imperfect form is 'equilibrabais'.
Why: The '-ábais' ending is specific to the 'vosotros' form in the imperfect indicative for -ar verbs.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: equilibro
Use present tense forms like equilibro (yo) and equilibran (ustedes) for current actions, habits, or general truths.
Preterite
yo: equilibré
Use preterite forms like equilibré (yo) and equilibraron (ustedes) for completed actions in the past.
Future
yo: equilibraré
Use future forms like equilibraré (yo) and equilibrarán (ustedes) to talk about actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: equilibraría
Use conditional forms like equilibraría (yo) and equilibrarían (ustedes) for hypothetical 'would' actions or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: equilibre
Use present subjunctive forms like equilibre (yo/él/ella/usted) and equilibren (ustedes) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: equilibrara
Use imperfect subjunctive forms like equilibrara or equilibrase for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: equilibra
Use imperative forms like equilibra (tú) and equilibren (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no equilibres
Use negative commands with 'no' plus present subjunctive forms like no equilibres (tú) and no equilibren (ustedes).