Confusing Imperfect and Preterite

'Tomaba' can mean 'I was taking/used to take' (yo) OR 'He/She/You formal was taking/used to take' (él/ella/usted). Context is key to knowing who is doing the action.

Who is 'Tomaba'?

This tense describes actions that were repeated habits in the past ('used to do') or actions that were ongoing and unfinished ('was doing'). It often sets the scene.

The Imperfect Tense's Role

Use 'tomaba' to describe how things were, what people were wearing, or what was happening in the background when something else (a single completed action) occurred.

Setting the Scene

Extremely common. This is a fundamental past tense form of the verb 'tomar'.

In Spanish, 'tomar' is used for both 'to take' and 'to drink.' If the thing being 'tomada' is a beverage, it almost always means 'to drink.' ('Tomar un taxi' means 'take a taxi,' but 'tomar un café' means 'drink a coffee.')

Taking vs. Drinking

Extremely common when referring to consuming beverages or medication.

Using 'Hacer' for Decisions

Very common when discussing transportation or abstract concepts like decisions.

'Tomaba' is the Spanish imperfect past tense form of 'tomar' (to take, to drink, to grab). Learn how to use 'tomaba' to talk about past habits and continuous actions.

tomaba

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

conditional

present

preterite

imperfect

future

imperative

affirmative

negative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

Practice Conjugations