fascinar Imperfect Conjugation
fascinar — to fascinate
Use the imperfect ('fascinaba') for ongoing past actions or descriptions, like how something used to fascinate you.
fascinar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
The imperfect tense describes ongoing or habitual actions in the past, or sets the scene. Use it for how something *used to* fascinate you, or how it *was fascinating* someone over a period of time.
Notes on fascinar in the Imperfect
Fascinar is regular in the imperfect tense. All forms are standard for -ar verbs.
Example Sentences
Cuando era niño, los dinosaurios me fascinaban.
When I was a child, dinosaurs fascinated me.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Ese tema me fascinaba en la universidad.
That topic fascinated me in college.
él/ella/usted
Tú siempre fascinabas a la gente con tus historias.
You always fascinated people with your stories.
tú
La forma en que pintaba nos fascinaba.
The way he painted fascinated us.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect for descriptions.
Correct: Use 'fascinaba' to describe how something was fascinating, not 'fascinó'.
Why: The imperfect is used for background description and ongoing states, while the preterite is for completed events.
Mistake: Incorrect subject-verb agreement.
Correct: If 'la pintura' fascinated, use 'fascinaba'. If 'las pinturas' fascinated, use 'fascinaban'.
Why: The verb must agree in number with the subject.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: fascino
Use the present tense ('fascino', 'fascina') for current actions, habits, or general truths about fascination.
Preterite
yo: fasciné
Use the preterite ('fasciné', 'fascinó') for completed actions in the past, like something that fascinated you once.
Future
yo: fascinaré
The future tense ('fascinaré', 'fascinará') is for actions that will happen or to express probability.
Conditional
yo: fascinaría
Use the conditional ('fascinaría') for hypotheticals ('would fascinate') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: fascine
Use present subjunctive like 'fascine' (yo/él/ella/Ud.) after verbs of doubt, emotion, or desire.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: fascinara
The imperfect subjunctive ('fascinara', 'fascinaras') is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, and suggestions.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: fascina
Use imperative forms like 'fascina' (tú) and 'fascine' (usted) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no fascines
Negative commands like 'no fascinen' (ustedes) use the present subjunctive with 'no'.