terminar Imperfect Conjugation
terminar — to finish
The imperfect of terminar follows the standard -ar pattern: terminaba, terminabas, terminaba, terminábamos, terminabais, terminaban.
terminar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect when describing a time when you used to finish something regularly in the past, or to describe an action that was finishing when something else happened.
Notes on terminar in the Imperfect
Terminar is fully regular in the imperfect. Remember the accent only on the 'nosotros' form: terminábamos.
Example Sentences
Cuando era niño, siempre terminaba mis deberes rápido.
When I was a child, I always used to finish my homework quickly.
yo
Nosotros terminábamos de comer cuando llegó Juan.
We were finishing eating when Juan arrived.
nosotros
Ustedes siempre terminaban las reuniones tarde.
You all always used to finish the meetings late.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing 'terminaba' with 'terminé' for a single completed action.
Correct: Use 'terminé' for one-time finishes and 'terminaba' for ongoing or repeated ones.
Why: Learners often struggle to distinguish between habitual past and specific past events.
Master Spanish verbs in context
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: termino
The present tense of terminar is regular: termino, terminas, termina, terminamos, termináis, terminan.
Preterite
yo: terminé
The preterite of terminar is regular: terminé, terminaste, terminó, terminamos, terminasteis, terminaron.
Future
yo: terminaré
The future tense of terminar uses the infinitive plus endings: terminaré, terminarás, terminará, terminaremos, terminaréis, terminarán.
Conditional
yo: terminaría
The conditional of terminar is regular: terminaría, terminarías, terminaría, terminaríamos, terminaríais, terminarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: termine
The present subjunctive of terminar uses -e endings: termine, termines, termine, terminemos, terminéis, terminen.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: terminara
The imperfect subjunctive of terminar is regular: terminara, terminaras, terminara, termináramos, terminarais, terminaran.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: termina
The imperative of terminar provides direct commands: termina (tú), terminad (vosotros), and termine/n (formal).
Negative Imperative
yo: no termines
The negative imperative of terminar uses 'no' plus the present subjunctive forms: no termines, no termine, etc.