percatar Imperfect Conjugation
percatar — to notice
The imperfect of percatar (me percataba, te percatabas, se percataba, etc.) describes ongoing past awareness or background.
percatar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect tense of 'percatarse' to describe a state of awareness in the past, or something you were habitually noticing. It sets the scene or describes background information. For example, 'Yo me percataba de su presencia, pero no dije nada.' (I was aware of his presence, but I didn't say anything.) or 'Antes, nos percatábamos menos de la contaminación.' (Before, we noticed pollution less.)
Notes on percatar in the Imperfect
'Percatar' is regular in the imperfect tense. The forms are made by taking the stem 'percat-' and adding the imperfect endings: -aba, -abas, -aba, -ábamos, -abais, -aban.
Example Sentences
Me percataba de que algo andaba mal.
I was sensing that something was wrong.
yo
Mientras estudiaba, te percatabas de los ruidos exteriores.
While you studied, you were noticing the outside noises.
tú
Ella se percataba de los cambios sutiles en su voz.
She noticed the subtle changes in his voice.
él/ella/usted
Nos percatábamos de que la situación empeoraba.
We were realizing that the situation was getting worse.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect for a sudden realization.
Correct: Me percaté de la verdad (preterite).
Why: The imperfect describes an ongoing state or background awareness ('I was aware'), while the preterite describes the moment the realization occurred ('I realized').
Mistake: Incorrectly forming the nosotros imperfect.
Correct: Nos percatábamos de los detalles.
Why: Ensure the '-ábamos' ending is used for the nosotros form in the imperfect.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: me percato
The present tense (me percato, te percatas, se percata, nos percatamos, os percatáis, se percatan) is for current or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: me percaté
The preterite of percatar is regular: me percaté, te percataste, se percató, nos percatamos, os percatasteis, se percataron.
Future
yo: me percataré
The future tense (percataré, percatarás, percatará, etc.) indicates future actions or probability.
Conditional
yo: me percataría
The conditional (percataría, percatarías, percataría, etc.) expresses 'would' scenarios or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: me percate
Use present subjunctive (percate, percates, percate, percatemos, percatéis, percaten) after verbs of influence, doubt, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: me percatara
Use the imperfect subjunctive (percatara/percatase) for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: percátate
Use imperative forms like percátate (tú) and percátense (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no te percates
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive, e.g., no te percates (tú) and no se percaten (ustedes).