redactar Imperfect Conjugation
redactar — to write
The imperfect of redactar (redactaba, redactabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past writing.
redactar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect for ongoing actions in the past ('I was writing') or habitual actions ('I used to write'). It sets the scene or describes background information in the past.
Notes on redactar in the Imperfect
Redactar is regular in the imperfect tense. All forms follow the standard -ar imperfect pattern.
Example Sentences
Cuando era joven, redactaba poemas a menudo.
When I was young, I often used to write poems.
yo
Tú redactabas los informes mientras yo buscaba la información.
You were writing the reports while I was looking for the information.
tú
Él redactaba cartas a su familia cada semana.
He used to write letters to his family every week.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros redactábamos el periódico de la escuela.
We were writing the school newspaper.
nosotros
Ellos redactaban las reglas del juego.
They were writing the rules of the game.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect for a single, completed past action.
Correct: For a finished action, use the preterite: 'Redacté el documento' (I wrote the document).
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual actions, not completed ones.
Mistake: Confusing the imperfect with the preterite for 'nosotros'.
Correct: Remember 'redactábamos' (imperfect) vs. 'redactamos' (preterite).
Why: These forms sound similar but describe different types of past actions.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: redacto
The present tense of redactar (redacto, redactas, etc.) is for actions happening now or habitual writing.
Preterite
yo: redacté
The preterite of redactar is regular: redacté, redactaste, redactó, redactamos, redactasteis, redactaron.
Future
yo: redactaré
The future tense of redactar is regular: redactaré, redactarás, redactará, etc., meaning 'will write'.
Conditional
yo: redactaría
The conditional of redactar (redactaría, redactarías, etc.) means 'would write'.
Present Subjunctive
yo: redacte
The present subjunctive of redactar (redacte, redactes, etc.) follows expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: redactara
The imperfect subjunctive of redactar is used for past hypotheticals or wishes, like 'si redactara' (if I wrote).
Affirmative Imperative
yo: redacta
Use the imperative of redactar for direct commands like 'redacta' (tú) or 'redacten' (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no redactes
Form negative commands for redactar using 'no' + present subjunctive, e.g., 'no redactes' (tú).