precisar Imperfect Conjugation
precisar — to need
The imperfect of 'precisar' (precisaba, precisabas, etc.) describes past ongoing or habitual needs/specifications.
precisar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect tense for descriptions in the past, ongoing actions, or habitual actions that occurred repeatedly. For 'precisar', it implies a continuous state of needing or a repeated act of specifying.
Notes on precisar in the Imperfect
'Precisar' is a regular -ar verb, and its imperfect conjugation is standard. All forms are regular.
Example Sentences
Yo precisaba más información para tomar una decisión.
I needed more information to make a decision.
yo
¿Tú precisabas ese libro a menudo?
Did you often need that book?
tú
Él precisaba que le explicaran todo con calma.
He needed them to explain everything calmly to him.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros precisábamos de más tiempo para terminar.
We needed more time to finish.
nosotros
Ellos precisaban ayuda constantemente.
They constantly needed help.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite for a habitual past need.
Correct: For a need that happened regularly in the past, use the imperfect: 'Siempre precisaba' (I always needed).
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or repeated actions, while the preterite describes completed, one-time events.
Mistake: Confusing 'precisaba' (yo) with 'precisaba' (él/ella/usted).
Correct: Context is key. 'Yo precisaba...' and 'Él precisaba...' use the same verb form.
Why: Spanish often relies on context or explicit pronouns ('yo', 'él') to distinguish between subject pronouns when the verb form is identical.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: preciso
The present tense of 'precisar' (preciso, precisas, etc.) means 'to need' or 'to specify' now.
Preterite
yo: precisé
The preterite of 'precisar' (precisé, precisaste, etc.) describes completed past needs or specifications.
Future
yo: precisaré
The future tense of 'precisar' (precisarás, precisará, etc.) means 'will need' or 'will specify'.
Conditional
yo: precisaría
The conditional of 'precisar' (precisaría, precisarías, etc.) means 'would need' or 'would specify'.
Present Subjunctive
yo: precise
The present subjunctive of 'precisar' (precise, precises, etc.) follows wishes, doubts, and emotions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: precisara
The imperfect subjunctive of 'precisar' (precisara/precisase) is used for past hypotheticals and wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: precisa
Precisa, precise, precisemos, precisad, precisen are the commands for 'to need'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no precises
No precises, no precise, no precisemos, no preciséis, no precisen are negative commands for 'to need'.