instalar Imperfect Conjugation
instalar — to install
The imperfect of instalar is regular: instalaba, instalabas, instalaba, instalábamos, instalabais, instalaban.
instalar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect for ongoing actions in the past, habitual actions, or background descriptions. Imagine describing a time when you used to install software frequently or when something was in the process of being installed.
Notes on instalar in the Imperfect
Instalar is a regular -ar verb and is regular in the imperfect tense.
Example Sentences
Yo instalaba muchas aplicaciones cuando empecé con este teléfono.
I used to install many apps when I first got this phone.
yo
¿Tú instalabas el sistema operativo en todas las computadoras?
Did you used to install the operating system on all the computers?
tú
Él instalaba el programa cada vez que salía una nueva versión.
He would install the program every time a new version came out.
Nosotros instalábamos las luces navideñas durante todo el fin de semana.
We were installing the Christmas lights throughout the whole weekend.
nosotros
Ellos instalaban antenas en los tejados.
They were installing antennas on the roofs.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite 'instaló' instead of the imperfect 'instalaba' for ongoing or habitual past actions.
Correct: For actions that happened repeatedly or were in progress, use 'instalaba'.
Why: The imperfect describes duration or habit, whereas the preterite describes a single completed event.
Mistake: Confusing the imperfect forms with the present tense.
Correct: Remember the '-aba' endings for the imperfect: 'instalaba', 'instalabas'.
Why: The imperfect tense has distinct endings that indicate past actions.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'instalar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: instalo
The present of instalar is regular: instalo, instalas, instala, instalamos, instaláis, instalan.
Preterite
yo: instalé
The preterite of instalar is regular: instalé, instalaste, instaló, instalamos, instalasteis, instalaron.
Future
yo: instalaré
The future of instalar is regular: instalaré, instalarás, instalará, instalaremos, instalaréis, instalarán.
Conditional
yo: instalaría
The conditional of instalar is regular: instalaría, instalarías, instalaría, instalaríamos, instalaríais, instalarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: instale
The present subjunctive of instalar is regular: instale, instales, instalemos, instaléis, instalen.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: instalara
The imperfect subjunctive of instalar is regular: instalara/instalase, instalaras/instalases, etc.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: instala
The imperative of instalar is regular: instala, instale, instalemos, instalad, instalen.
Negative Imperative
yo: no instales
The negative imperative of instalar uses the present subjunctive: no instales, no instale, no instalemos, no instaléis, no instalen.