suicidarse Imperfect Conjugation
suicidarse — to commit suicide
The imperfect (e.g., 'me suicidaba') describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
suicidarse Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect tense to describe actions that were happening continuously in the past, habitual actions, or to set the scene. For 'suicidarse', it could describe a period where someone was contemplating it or repeatedly attempted it.
Notes on suicidarse in the Imperfect
Suicidarse is regular in the imperfect indicative. The reflexive pronoun precedes the verb.
Example Sentences
Él se suicidaba lentamente con cada decisión.
He was killing himself slowly with every decision.
él/ella/usted
Antes, me suicidaba con frecuencia.
Before, I used to kill myself frequently.
yo
En esa época, ellos se suicidaban por desesperación.
In that era, they used to kill themselves out of desperation.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of imperfect: 'Él se suicidó cada día'.
Correct: For repeated past actions, use the imperfect: 'Él se suicidaba cada día'.
Why: The imperfect describes habitual or repeated actions in the past, whereas the preterite describes a single completed action.
Mistake: Missing the reflexive pronoun: 'Él suicidaba'.
Correct: The verb is reflexive: 'Él se suicidaba'.
Why: The reflexive pronoun is essential because the action affects the subject.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: me suicido
The present tense (e.g., 'me suicido') describes habitual actions or states happening now.
Preterite
yo: me suicidé
The preterite of suicidarse is regular: me suicidé, te suicidaste, se suicidó, nos suicidamos, os suicidasteis, se suicidaron.
Future
yo: me suicidaré
The future tense (e.g., 'me suicidaré') indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: me suicidaría
The conditional (e.g., 'me suicidaría') expresses hypothetical outcomes ('would').
Present Subjunctive
yo: me suicide
The present subjunctive (e.g., 'me suicide') expresses wishes, doubts, or emotions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: me suicidara
The imperfect subjunctive (e.g., 'me suicidara') expresses hypothetical past situations or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: suicídate
Use the imperative of suicidarse for direct commands like '¡Suicídate!' (you, informal).
Negative Imperative
yo: no te suicides
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive, e.g., 'No te suicides' (don't kill yourself).