topar Imperfect Conjugation
topar — to run into
The imperfect 'topaba' describes ongoing or habitual past encounters with 'topar'.
topar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect of 'topar' to describe actions that were happening repeatedly or continuously in the past, or to set the scene. For example, 'I used to run into him often'.
Notes on topar in the Imperfect
Topar is regular in the imperfect tense.
Example Sentences
Yo topaba con ella en la biblioteca cada semana.
I used to run into her at the library every week.
yo
Tú topabas con los mismos problemas siempre.
You always ran into the same problems.
tú
Él topaba con gente interesante en sus viajes.
He would run into interesting people on his trips.
él/ella/usted
Ellos topaban con la misma dificultad.
They kept running into the same difficulty.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite ('topó') for ongoing past actions.
Correct: Use 'topaba' to describe repeated or continuous past encounters.
Why: The preterite is for single, completed past actions, while the imperfect is for duration or repetition.
Mistake: Confusing 'topábamos' (nosotros) with 'topamos' (present/preterite).
Correct: Ensure the '-ba-' ending is present for the imperfect tense.
Why: The '-ba-' ending is characteristic of the imperfect tense for -ar verbs.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: topo
Use the present tense 'topo', 'topas', 'topa' for habitual actions or things happening now with 'topar'.
Preterite
yo: topé
The preterite of 'topar' is regular: 'topé', 'topaste', 'topó', 'topamos', 'topasteis', 'toparon'.
Future
yo: toparé
The future tense 'toparé' predicts or assumes you will run into something/someone.
Conditional
yo: toparía
The conditional 'toparía' expresses hypothetical encounters or polite suggestions with 'topar'.
Present Subjunctive
yo: tope
Use 'topo' (yo) and 'tope' (él/ella/usted) in the present subjunctive after doubts, wishes, or emotions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: topara
The imperfect subjunctive 'topara' or 'topase' expresses past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: topa
Use the imperative 'topa' (tú) and 'tope' (usted) for direct commands with 'topar'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no topes
Use 'no topes' (tú) or 'no tope' (usted) for negative commands with 'topar'.