recaudar Imperfect Conjugation
recaudar — to raise
The imperfect 'recaudaba' describes past habitual or ongoing fundraising actions and background.
recaudar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect tense of 'recaudar' to describe actions of collecting money that were habitual or ongoing in the past, or to set the scene. For example, 'Cuando era joven, recaudaba dinero para el refugio de animales' (When I was young, I used to raise money for the animal shelter) shows a past habit. It's also used for background description: 'Mientras recaudaban fondos, la música sonaba' (While they were raising funds, the music was playing).
Notes on recaudar in the Imperfect
Recaudar is regular in the imperfect tense.
Example Sentences
Yo recaudaba fondos para la escuela todos los años.
I used to raise funds for the school every year.
yo
¿Recaudabas dinero para caridad cuando eras niño?
Did you use to raise money for charity when you were a child?
tú
Ellos recaudaban fondos para reconstruir el edificio.
They were raising funds to rebuild the building.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Ella recaudaba dinero para el orfanato cada mes.
She raised money for the orphanage every month.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect 'recaudaba' for a single, completed fundraising action.
Correct: Use the preterite for completed actions: 'La campaña recaudó 500 euros'.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions, not single completed ones.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'recaudar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: recaudo
The present tense 'recaudo', 'recaudas', 'recauda' describes current or habitual fundraising actions.
Preterite
yo: recaudé
The preterite of recaudar is regular: recaudé, recaudaste, recaudó, recaudamos, recaudasteis, recaudaron.
Future
yo: recaudaré
The future tense 'recaudaré', 'recaudarás', 'recaudará' talks about future fundraising actions.
Conditional
yo: recaudaría
The conditional 'recaudaría' expresses 'would' do something, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: recaude
Use 'recaude' (yo/él/ella/usted) or 'recaudes' (tú) in the present subjunctive for wishes, doubts, and emotions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: recaudara
The imperfect subjunctive like 'recaudara' or 'recaudara' expresses past wishes, doubts, or hypothetical situations.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: recauda
Use 'recauda' (tú) and 'recauden' (ustedes) for direct commands with recaudar.
Negative Imperative
yo: no recaudes
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive: 'no recaudes' (tú), 'no recauden' (ustedes).