exhalar Imperfect Conjugation
exhalar — to exhale
The imperfect exhalaba (yo/él/ella/usted) describes ongoing or habitual past actions of exhaling.
exhalar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect tense for actions of exhaling that were happening continuously in the past, or that happened habitually. It sets the scene or describes background actions. For example, 'He was exhaling deeply' or 'Every morning, she used to exhale quietly.'
Notes on exhalar in the Imperfect
Exhalar is regular in the imperfect tense. All forms follow the standard -ar imperfect pattern.
Example Sentences
Yo exhalaba despacio mientras meditaba.
I was exhaling slowly while I meditated.
yo
Tú siempre exhalabas con un suspiro.
You always used to exhale with a sigh.
tú
Él exhalaba humo lentamente.
He was exhaling smoke slowly.
él/ella/usted
Ellos exhalaban al mismo tiempo que inspiraban.
They were exhaling at the same time they inhaled.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of imperfect for ongoing actions.
Correct: Use imperfect ('exhalaba') for ongoing or habitual past actions, and preterite ('exhaló') for completed ones.
Why: The imperfect paints a continuous or repeated picture, while the preterite marks a single event.
Mistake: Incorrectly conjugating the imperfect endings.
Correct: Remember the standard -aba/-ábamos for -ar verbs: exhalaba, exhalábamos.
Why: These endings are consistent for regular -ar verbs in this tense.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: exhalo
The present indicative exhalas (tú) and exhala (él/ella/usted) describes current actions or habits.
Preterite
yo: exhalé
The preterite of exhalar is regular: exhalé, exhalaste, exhaló, exhalamos, exhalasteis, exhalaron.
Future
yo: exhalaré
The future tense exhalaré (yo) and exhalará (él/ella/usted) indicates an action that will happen.
Conditional
yo: exhalaría
The conditional exhalaría (yo/él/ella/usted) suggests 'would exhale' or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: exhale
Present subjunctive forms like exhale (yo/él/ella/usted) are used after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: exhalara
The imperfect subjunctive exhalara/exhalarais/exhalaran expresses past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: exhala
Use imperative forms like exhala (tú) and exhale (usted) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no exhales
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive, like no exhales (tú) or no exhale (usted).