Imperfect vs. Preterite

This form ('merecía') is the Imperfect past tense. It describes a past state or condition that was ongoing, habitual, or true over a period of time, rather than a single completed action.

Imperfect Tense Focus

The base verb 'merecer' is slightly irregular. The 'c' changes to 'zc' when followed by an 'o' or 'a' (like in 'yo merezco' or the present subjunctive) to keep the pronunciation consistent. The 'merecía' form avoids this change.

The C-ZC Change

Use 'merecía' when describing how someone felt about their worth in the past, often alongside verbs like 'creía' (I believed) or 'sentía' (I felt).

Describing Past Feelings

A very common past tense form used to describe what someone was worthy of or entitled to over a period of time.

Learn the meaning and correct usage of the Spanish verb form 'merecía' (I/He/She deserved, Imperfect tense of merecer). Includes full conjugation tables and tips on past tense differentiation.

merecía

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

Practice Conjugations