notar Imperfect Conjugation
notar — to notice
The imperfect of notar is regular: notaba, notabas, notaba, notábamos, notabais, notaban.
notar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect to describe a feeling or sensation that was ongoing in the past. It's perfect for setting the scene or describing how things used to seem.
Notes on notar in the Imperfect
Notar is completely regular in the imperfect. Remember the accent on the 'notábamos' form.
Example Sentences
Notaba que algo estaba mal en la oficina.
I noticed (was noticing) that something was wrong in the office.
yo
De niño, no notabas el frío.
As a child, you didn't notice the cold.
tú
Notábamos mucha tensión en las reuniones.
We used to notice a lot of tension in the meetings.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite for a general feeling like 'Noté que estaba triste' when describing a state.
Correct: Use 'Notaba que estaba triste' if you are describing a continuous mood.
Why: The imperfect is for background states and descriptions, while the preterite is for a sudden realization.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: noto
The present of notar is regular: noto, notas, nota, notamos, notáis, notan.
Preterite
yo: noté
The preterite of notar is regular: noté, notaste, notó, notamos, notasteis, notaron.
Future
yo: notaré
The future of notar is regular: notaré, notarás, notará, notaremos, notaréis, notarán.
Conditional
yo: notaría
The conditional of notar is regular: notaría, notarías, notaría, notaríamos, notaríais, notarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: note
The present subjunctive of notar is regular: note, notes, note, notemos, notéis, noten.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: notara
The imperfect subjunctive of notar is regular: notara, notaras, notara, notáramos, notarais, notaran.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: nota
The affirmative imperative of notar is: nota (tú), note (usted), notemos (nosotros), notad (vosotros), noten (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no notes
The negative imperative of notar uses the present subjunctive: no notes, no note, no notemos, no notéis, no noten.