esquivar Imperfect Conjugation
esquivar — to dodge
The imperfect (esquivaba) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
esquivar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect of 'esquivar' to describe actions that were happening repeatedly or continuously in the past, or to set the scene. For example, 'He used to dodge questions all the time' or 'While he was dodging, the ball hit him.'
Notes on esquivar in the Imperfect
Esquivar is regular in the imperfect tense. The forms are: esquivaba (yo, él, ella, usted), esquivabas (tú), esquivábamos (nosotros), esquivabais (vosotros), esquivaban (ellos, ellas, ustedes).
Example Sentences
Yo esquivaba las responsabilidades cuando era joven.
I used to dodge responsibilities when I was young.
yo
Mientras tú esquivabas, yo te protegía.
While you were dodging, I was protecting you.
tú
Ella esquivaba las miradas del profesor.
She was avoiding the teacher's glances.
él/ella/usted
Ellos esquivaban los obstáculos en el camino.
They were dodging the obstacles on the path.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect for a single completed action.
Correct: Use 'esquivó' (preterite) for 'he dodged it once', not 'esquivaba'.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual actions, not a specific, finished event.
Mistake: Confusing the 'yo' and 'él/ella/usted' forms.
Correct: Both 'esquivaba' and 'esquivaba' are identical. Context or subject pronouns clarify who is acting.
Why: This is a common feature of the imperfect tense for regular -ar and -er/-ir verbs.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: esquivo
The present tense (esquivo) describes actions happening now or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: esquivé
The preterite of esquivar is regular: esquivé, esquivaste, esquivó, esquivamos, esquivasteis, esquivaron.
Future
yo: esquivaré
The future tense (esquivaré) expresses what will happen.
Conditional
yo: esquivaría
The conditional (esquivaría) expresses hypotheticals ('would') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: esquive
The present subjunctive (esquive) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: esquivara
The imperfect subjunctive (esquivara/esquivase) is for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: esquiva
Use 'esquiva' (tú), 'esquive' (usted), 'esquivemos' (nosotros), 'esquiven' (ustedes), 'esquivad' (vosotros), 'esquivéis' (vosotros, Spain).
Negative Imperative
yo: no esquives
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive: no esquives (tú), no esquive (usted), etc.