firmar Imperfect Conjugation
firmar — to sign
The imperfect of firmar (firmaba, firmabas, firmaba, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
firmar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect for actions like 'I used to sign documents every day' or 'He was signing when the phone rang.' It sets the background scene in the past.
Notes on firmar in the Imperfect
Firmar is regular in the imperfect indicative. It follows the standard pattern for -ar verbs in this tense.
Example Sentences
Yo firmaba muchos documentos cuando trabajaba allí.
I used to sign many documents when I worked there.
yo
¿Firmabas tú las cartas?
Did you used to sign the letters?
tú
Él firmaba el registro cada mañana.
He signed the register every morning.
él/ella/usted
Firmábamos el acta al final de cada reunión.
We used to sign the minutes at the end of each meeting.
nosotros
Ellos firmaban el libro de visitas.
They were signing the visitor log.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite for habitual past actions.
Correct: Use 'firmaba' for 'I used to sign', not 'firmé'.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or repeated actions in the past, while the preterite describes completed actions.
Mistake: Confusing imperfect and preterite.
Correct: Remember imperfect ('firmaba') for background/habitual, preterite ('firmó') for completed event.
Why: This is a common confusion point between these two past tenses.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: firmo
The present tense of firmar (firmo, firmas, firma, etc.) describes current or habitual signing actions.
Preterite
yo: firmé
The preterite of firmar (firmé, firmaste, firmó, etc.) indicates completed past actions.
Future
yo: firmaré
The future tense of firmar (firmaré, firmarás, firmará, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: firmaría
The conditional of firmar (firmaría, firmarías, firmaría, etc.) expresses 'would' actions or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: firme
The present subjunctive of firmar (firme, firmes, firmemos, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or influence.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: firmara
The imperfect subjunctive of firmar (firmara, firmaras, firmáramos, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: firma
Use the imperative of firmar for direct commands: firma, firme, firmemos, firmen, firmad.
Negative Imperative
yo: no firmes
Negative commands for firmar use the present subjunctive: no firmes, no firme, no firmemos, no firmen, no firméis.