retrasar Imperfect Conjugation
retrasar — to delay
The imperfect of retrasar (retrasaba, retrasabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual delays in the past.
retrasar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect tense of 'retrasar' to describe a situation in the past where delays were happening repeatedly, were in progress, or set the background scene. It's about the *state* of delaying, not a specific finished event.
Notes on retrasar in the Imperfect
Retrasar is regular in the imperfect indicative tense. It follows the standard -ar verb pattern.
Example Sentences
Cuando era joven, yo retrasaba mis estudios por trabajar.
When I was young, I used to delay my studies because of work.
yo
Tú siempre retrasabas la hora de llegada.
You always used to delay your arrival time.
tú
El sistema a veces retrasaba la información importante.
The system sometimes delayed important information.
él/ella/usted
Ellos retrasaban el proyecto porque no tenían fondos.
They were delaying the project because they didn't have funds.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect for a single, completed delay in the past.
Correct: For a specific past delay, use the preterite: 'Ayer retrasó la entrega' (Yesterday he delayed the delivery).
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions, not single, completed events.
Mistake: Confusing the imperfect ending with the preterite.
Correct: The imperfect endings for -ar verbs are -aba, -abas, -aba, -ábamos, -abais, -aban. The preterite endings are different (e.g., -é, -aste, -ó).
Why: These are two distinct past tenses with different functions and forms.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: retraso
The present tense of retrasar (retraso, retrasas, etc.) is for actions happening now or habitual delays.
Preterite
yo: retrasé
The preterite of retrasar is regular: retrasé, retrasaste, retrasó, retrasamos, retrasasteis, retrasaron, for completed past actions.
Future
yo: retrasaré
The future tense of retrasar (retrasaré, retrasarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen or expresses probability.
Conditional
yo: retrasaría
The conditional of retrasar (retrasaría, retrasarías, etc.) expresses 'would' delays, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: retrase
The present subjunctive of retrasar (retrace, retrases, etc.) follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: retrasara
The imperfect subjunctive of retrasar (retrasara, retrasaras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or politeness.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: retrasa
Use the imperative of retrasar for direct commands: retrasa (tú), retrase (usted), retrasemos (nosotros), retrasad (vosotros), retrasen (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no retrases
Negative commands for retrasar use 'no' plus the present subjunctive: no retrases (tú), no retrase (usted), no retrasemos (nosotros), no retraséis (vosotros), no retrasen (ustedes).