ocultar Imperfect Conjugation
ocultar — to hide
The imperfect of ocultar is regular, using -aba endings: ocultaba, ocultabas, ocultaba, ocultábamos, ocultabais, ocultaban.
ocultar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect when describing a state of hiding that lasted for an indefinite time or a habit of keeping secrets in the past. It's perfect for setting the scene or describing someone's character.
Notes on ocultar in the Imperfect
Ocultar is completely regular in the imperfect. Remember to add an accent only on the 'nosotros' form (ocultábamos).
Example Sentences
De niño, siempre ocultaba mis dulces bajo la cama.
As a child, I always used to hide my sweets under the bed.
yo
Ellos ocultaban la verdad para no preocuparnos.
They were hiding the truth so as not to worry us.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Ocultábamos el regalo cuando ella entró en la habitación.
We were hiding the gift when she entered the room.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Ocultabamos
Correct: Ocultábamos
Why: All -ar verbs in the imperfect require a written accent on the 'nosotros' form's antepenultimate syllable.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: oculto
The present of ocultar is regular: oculto, ocultas, oculta, ocultamos, ocultáis, ocultan.
Preterite
yo: oculté
The preterite of ocultar is regular: oculté, ocultaste, ocultó, ocultamos, ocultasteis, ocultaron.
Future
yo: ocultaré
The future of ocultar uses the full infinitive as a base: ocultaré, ocultarás, ocultará, ocultaremos, ocultaréis, ocultarán.
Conditional
yo: ocultaría
The conditional of ocultar is regular: ocultaría, ocultarías, ocultaría, ocultaríamos, ocultaríais, ocultarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: oculte
The present subjunctive of ocultar changes the 'a' to 'e': oculte, ocultes, oculte, ocultemos, ocultéis, oculten.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: ocultara
The imperfect subjunctive of ocultar uses the -ra endings: ocultara, ocultaras, ocultara, ocultáramos, ocultarais, ocultaran.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: oculta
The affirmative imperative forms are: oculta (tú), oculte (usted), ocultemos (nosotros), ocultad (vosotros), oculten (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no ocultes
The negative imperative uses the present subjunctive: no ocultes, no oculte, no ocultemos, no ocultéis, no oculten.