recetar Imperfect Conjugation

When to Use the Imperfect

Use the imperfect of recetar to describe ongoing or habitual actions in the past, like 'The doctor used to prescribe this medicine often' or 'When I was sick, they always prescribed rest.'

Notes on recetar in the Imperfect

Recetar is regular in the imperfect indicative. The conjugation follows the standard pattern for -ar verbs.

Example Sentences

• Cuando era niño, el doctor me recetaba jarabes amargos.

  When I was a child, the doctor used to prescribe me bitter syrups.

  él/ella/usted

• Ellos recetaban el mismo tratamiento para todos.

  They prescribed the same treatment for everyone.

  ellos/ellas/ustedes

• Yo recetaba aspirina para dolores de cabeza leves.

  I used to prescribe aspirin for mild headaches.

  yo

• Tú recetabas homeopatía antes de estudiar medicina.

  You used to prescribe homeopathy before studying medicine.

  tú

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Using the preterite 'recetó' when describing a past habit or background situation.

  Correct: For ongoing or habitual past actions, use the imperfect: 'El doctor recetaba'.

  Why: The imperfect describes continuous or repeated actions, setting the scene, while the preterite marks a specific, finished event.

• Mistake: Confusing 'recetábamos' (we used to prescribe) with 'recetamos' (we prescribe/we prescribed).

  Correct: The imperfect 'recetábamos' clearly indicates past habit or ongoing action.

  Why: The different endings and stem clearly distinguish the imperfect from the present/preterite forms.

Related Tenses