programar Imperfect Conjugation
programar — to program
The imperfect tense ('programaba') describes ongoing or habitual past programming.
programar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect to describe actions in the past that were ongoing, habitual, or set the scene. Think 'I used to program...' or 'I was programming when...'
Notes on programar in the Imperfect
Programar is regular in the imperfect indicative. It follows the standard conjugation pattern for -ar verbs.
Example Sentences
Cuando era joven, yo programaba mucho.
When I was young, I used to program a lot.
yo
¿Tú programabas en BASIC?
Did you program in BASIC (back then)?
tú
Ella programaba la calefacción para que estuviera caliente por la mañana.
She programmed the heating so it would be warm in the morning (habitually).
él/ella/usted
Ellos programaban el sistema cada semana.
They programmed the system every week (habitually).
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect for a single, completed past action.
Correct: Use the preterite 'programó' for 'He programmed it yesterday'.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions, not specific completed events.
Mistake: Confusing the imperfect 'programaba' with the conditional 'programaría'.
Correct: 'Programaba' is past, 'programaría' is conditional ('would program').
Why: These tenses have different meanings and uses; one describes past states, the other hypothetical future actions.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'programar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: programo
The present tense ('programo', 'programas') is for actions happening now or habitual programming.
Preterite
yo: programé
The preterite of programar is regular: programé, programaste, programó, programamos, programasteis, programaron.
Future
yo: programaré
The future tense ('programaré', 'programarás') indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: programaría
The conditional ('programaría') expresses hypothetical actions ('would program') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: programe
The present subjunctive ('programe', 'programes') expresses wishes, doubts, and emotions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: programara
The imperfect subjunctive ('programara' or 'programase') talks about past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: programa
Use 'programa' for 'tú' commands, 'programen' for 'ustedes', and 'programad' for 'vosotros' when telling someone to program.
Negative Imperative
yo: no programes
Negative commands like 'no programes' (tú) or 'no programen' (ustedes) use the present subjunctive.