Imperfect vs. Preterite

This form, 'preguntaba', can mean 'I was asking' (Yo), 'He/She was asking' (Él/Ella), or 'You were asking' (Usted, the formal 'you'). You need the surrounding context (like the subject or situation) to know who is doing the action.

Who Does the Asking?

The imperfect tense (ending in -aba or -ía) is used to describe things happening in the background, habitual actions in the past ('used to ask'), or continuous actions ('was asking'). Think of it as painting the scene.

The Imperfect Tense (The Story Tense)

Use 'preguntaba' when you are setting the scene for a story. For instance, 'Mientras ella preguntaba sobre el viaje, el teléfono sonó' (While she was asking about the trip, the phone rang).

Setting the Scene

Extremely common, used whenever describing past, continuous, or habitual actions of asking.

'Preguntaba' is the imperfect past tense of 'preguntar' (to ask), meaning 'I/he/she was asking' or 'used to ask.' Learn its conjugation, pronunciation, and how to use the imperfect tense for habitual actions in Spanish.

Preguntaba Meaning, Conjugation & Usage | Imperfect Tense | Inklingo

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preguntaba

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

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