preparar Imperfect Conjugation
preparar — to prepare
The imperfect of preparar uses the regular -aba endings: preparaba, preparabas, preparaba, preparábamos, preparabais, preparaban.
preparar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect to describe a past habit, like something you used to prepare often, or to set the scene (e.g., 'I was preparing dinner when...').
Notes on preparar in the Imperfect
Preparar is regular in the imperfect. Remember the accent on the 'nosotros' form: preparábamos.
Example Sentences
Mi abuela siempre preparaba galletas los domingos.
My grandmother always used to prepare cookies on Sundays.
él/ella/usted
Mientras yo preparaba la mesa, tú llamaste.
While I was preparing the table, you called.
yo
Ustedes preparaban el evento con mucho cuidado.
You all were preparing the event with a lot of care.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'preparia' instead of 'preparaba'.
Correct: preparaba
Why: Learners sometimes confuse the imperfect endings (-aba) with conditional endings (-aría).
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: preparo
The present tense of preparar is regular: preparo, preparas, prepara, preparamos, preparáis, preparan.
Preterite
yo: preparé
The preterite of preparar is regular: preparé, preparaste, preparó, preparamos, preparasteis, prepararon.
Future
yo: prepararé
The future of preparar adds endings to the infinitive: prepararé, prepararás, preparará, prepararemos, prepararéis, prepararán.
Conditional
yo: prepararía
The conditional of preparar is regular: prepararía, prepararías, prepararía, prepararíamos, prepararíais, prepararían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: prepare
The present subjunctive of preparar changes the -a to -e: prepare, prepares, prepare, preparemos, preparéis, preparen.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: preparara
The imperfect subjunctive of preparar is formed from the preterite stem: preparara, prepararas, preparara, preparáramos, prepararais, prepararan.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: prepara
The affirmative imperative of preparar gives commands: prepara (tú), prepare (usted), preparad (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no prepares
The negative imperative of preparar uses the present subjunctive: no prepares, no prepare, no preparemos, no preparéis, no preparen.