fallar Imperfect Conjugation
fallar — to fail
The imperfect of fallar (fallaba, fallabas, fallaba, fallábamos, fallabais, fallaban) describes ongoing or habitual past failures.
fallar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect tense of 'fallar' to describe past situations where failure was ongoing, habitual, or served as background description. It sets the scene for something else happening.
Notes on fallar in the Imperfect
Fallar is regular in the imperfect tense.
Example Sentences
Yo fallaba en mis estudios cuando era joven y no me esforzaba.
I used to fail in my studies when I was young and didn't try hard.
yo
Tú fallabas en llegar a tiempo a todas las reuniones.
You used to fail to arrive on time for all the meetings.
tú
El coche fallaba a menudo en las mañanas frías.
The car used to fail often on cold mornings.
él/ella/usted
Ellos fallaban en su intento de mantener la calma.
They were failing in their attempt to remain calm.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect for habitual past failures.
Correct: Use 'Fallaba' (imperfect) for 'I used to fail', not 'Fallé'.
Why: The imperfect describes repeated or ongoing actions in the past, whereas the preterite describes single, completed actions.
Mistake: Confusing the imperfect forms with the present tense.
Correct: Remember the '-aba'/' -ía' endings for imperfect, e.g., 'fallaba', not 'falla'.
Why: Learners sometimes overlook the specific endings that denote the imperfect tense.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'fallar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: fallo
The present tense of fallar (fallo, fallas, falla, fallamos, falláis, fallan) describes current or habitual failures.
Preterite
yo: fallé
The preterite of fallar is regular: fallé, fallaste, falló, fallamos, fallasteis, fallaron, for completed past actions.
Future
yo: fallaré
The future tense of fallar (fallaré, fallarás, fallará, fallaremos, fallaréis, fallarán) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: fallaría
The conditional of fallar (fallaría, fallarías, fallaría, fallaríamos, fallaríais, fallarían) expresses 'would' fail or polite possibilities.
Present Subjunctive
yo: falle
Use the present subjunctive of fallar (falle, falles, falle, fallemos, falléis, fallen) for wishes, doubts, and emotions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: fallara
The imperfect subjunctive (fallara, fallaras, fallara, falláramos, fallarais, fallaran) is for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: falla
Use the imperative of fallar for direct commands: falla (tú), falle (usted), fallad (vosotros), fallen (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no falles
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive: no falles (tú), no falle (usted), no falléis (vosotros), no fallen (ustedes).