relatar Imperfect Conjugation
relatar — to tell
The imperfect 'relataba' describes past storytelling that was ongoing or habitual.
relatar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect of 'relatar' to describe habitual storytelling in the past ('Cuando era niño, relataba cuentos') or to set the scene by describing someone telling a story as background action ('Él relataba la historia mientras llovía'). It focuses on the duration or repetition, not the completion.
Notes on relatar in the Imperfect
Relatar is regular in the imperfect tense. All forms are conjugated according to the standard -ar verb pattern.
Example Sentences
Yo relataba historias de fantasmas cada noche.
I used to tell ghost stories every night.
yo
Tú relatabas los detalles de forma muy vívida.
You were telling the details very vividly.
tú
Ella relataba sus sueños a su diario.
She used to tell her dreams to her diary.
él/ella/usted
Ellos relataban sus aventuras en el club.
They used to tell about their adventures at the club.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect 'relataba' for a single, completed past telling.
Correct: Use the preterite 'relató' for a specific event.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or repeated actions, while the preterite describes a finished action.
Mistake: Confusing the imperfect 'relataba' (yo/él/ella/usted) with other forms.
Correct: Ensure you use the correct ending for the subject: 'relataba' (yo/él/ella/usted), 'relatabas' (tú), 'relatábamos' (nosotros), 'relatabais' (vosotros), 'relataban' (ellos/ellas/ustedes).
Why: Incorrect endings lead to grammatical errors.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: relato
The present tense 'relato', 'relatas', 'relata' is used for current or habitual telling.
Preterite
yo: relaté
The preterite of 'relatar' is regular: relaté, relataste, relató, relatamos, relatasteis, relataron.
Future
yo: relataré
The future tense 'relataré' and 'relatarán' indicates telling that will happen.
Conditional
yo: relataría
The conditional 'relataría' is for hypothetical or polite storytelling.
Present Subjunctive
yo: relate
Present subjunctive forms like 'relate' and 'relaten' follow expressions of doubt or desire.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: relatara
The imperfect subjunctive (relatara/relatase) is for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: relata
Use imperative forms like 'relata' and 'relaten' for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no relates
Negative commands like 'no relates' and 'no relaten' use the present subjunctive.