ostentar Imperfect Conjugation
ostentar — to show off
The imperfect 'ostentaba' describes ongoing or habitual past actions of showing off.
ostentar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect of 'ostentar' to describe actions of showing off that were ongoing, habitual, or repeated in the past, or to set the scene. It paints a picture of what *used* to happen or what was happening.
Notes on ostentar in the Imperfect
'Ostentar' is regular in the imperfect tense, just like other -ar verbs. The forms are: ostentaba, ostentabas, ostentaba, ostentábamos, ostentabais, ostentaban.
Example Sentences
Cuando era joven, él ostentaba su fuerza física.
When he was young, he used to show off his physical strength.
él/ella/usted
Ellos ostentaban sus medallas en cada reunión familiar.
They would show off their medals at every family gathering.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Mi abuela ostentaba una gran colección de joyas.
My grandmother showed off (or possessed) a large collection of jewelry.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros ostentábamos nuestros disfraces en carnaval.
We used to show off our costumes at carnival.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite 'ostentó' instead of the imperfect 'ostentaba' for a habitual past action.
Correct: For actions that happened repeatedly or over a period in the past, use the imperfect: 'Ella ostentaba su título a menudo'.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions, while the preterite describes completed, single events.
Mistake: Incorrectly conjugating the 'vosotros' form, writing 'ostentabais' without the 'i'.
Correct: The correct form is 'ostentabais'.
Why: This is the standard ending for regular -ar verbs in the imperfect tense for 'vosotros'.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: ostento
The present tense 'ostento' describes habitual actions or things happening now.
Preterite
yo: ostenté
The preterite of 'ostentar' is regular: ostenté, ostentaste, ostentó, ostentamos, ostentasteis, ostentaron.
Future
yo: ostentaré
The future tense 'ostentaré' talks about will happen, or expresses probability.
Conditional
yo: ostentaría
The conditional 'ostentaría' expresses hypotheticals ('would show off') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: ostente
Use 'ostente' or 'ostentes' after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: ostentara
The imperfect subjunctive 'ostentara' or 'ostentase' is for past hypothetical situations or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: ostenta
Commands like 'ostenta' (you singular) or 'ostenten' (you plural) are used for direct orders with ostentar.
Negative Imperative
yo: no ostentes
Negative commands use the present subjunctive: 'no ostentes' (don't show off), 'no ostenten' (don't show off).