proporcionar Imperfect Conjugation
proporcionar — to provide
The imperfect of 'proporcionar' (proporcionaba, proporcionabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
proporcionar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect of 'proporcionar' to describe what someone *used to do* or *was doing* when something else happened. For example, 'Él proporcionaba ayuda a los vecinos' means 'He used to provide help to the neighbors.'
Notes on proporcionar in the Imperfect
'Proporcionar' is a regular -ar verb and conjugates regularly in the imperfect tense.
Example Sentences
Cuando era joven, yo proporcionaba voluntarios para causas benéficas.
When I was young, I used to volunteer for charitable causes.
yo
¿Tú me proporcionabas consejos útiles en esa época?
Were you providing me with useful advice back then?
tú
La organización proporcionaba comida a los necesitados.
The organization was providing food to the needy.
él/ella/usted
Mientras tanto, nosotros proporcionábamos información a la prensa.
Meanwhile, we were providing information to the press.
nosotros
Ellos siempre proporcionaban apoyo incondicional.
They always provided unconditional support.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite 'proporcionó' for a habitual or ongoing past action.
Correct: Use the imperfect 'proporcionaba' for habits or ongoing actions: 'Él proporcionaba ayuda' (He used to provide help).
Why: The imperfect tense is specifically for describing past routines, background details, or actions in progress.
Mistake: Confusing the imperfect 'proporcionaba' with the conditional 'proporcionaría'.
Correct: 'Proporcionaba' is imperfect (past ongoing/habitual), 'proporcionaría' is conditional (would provide).
Why: These tenses have very different meanings and uses, though their forms can sometimes look similar.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: proporciono
The present tense of 'proporcionar' (proporciono, proporcionas, proporciona, etc.) describes current or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: proporcioné
The preterite of 'proporcionar' is regular: proporcioné, proporcionaste, proporcionó, proporcionamos, proporcionasteis, proporcionaron.
Future
yo: proporcionaré
The future tense of 'proporcionar' (proporcionaré, proporcionarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: proporcionaría
The conditional of 'proporcionar' (proporcionaría, proporcionarías, etc.) is used for hypotheticals ('would provide') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: proporcione
The present subjunctive of 'proporcionar' (proporcione, proporciones, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: proporcionara
The imperfect subjunctive of 'proporcionar' (e.g., proporcionara, proporcionase) is used for past hypotheticals or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: proporciona
Direct commands for 'proporcionar' are: proporciona (tú), proporcione (usted), proporcionemos (nosotros), proporcionad (vosotros), proporcionen (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no proporciones
Negative commands for 'proporcionar' use the present subjunctive: no proporciones (tú), no proporcione (usted), etc.