transcurrir Imperfect Conjugation
transcurrir — to pass
The imperfect 'transcurría' describes ongoing, habitual, or background actions in the past.
transcurrir Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect of 'transcurrir' to describe how time was passing continuously in the past, habitual ways of spending time, or to set the scene for another past event.
Notes on transcurrir in the Imperfect
'Transcurrir' is regular in the imperfect indicative tense. It follows the standard conjugation pattern for -ir verbs.
Example Sentences
Mientras transcurría la película, comíamos palomitas.
While the movie was passing, we were eating popcorn.
él/ella/usted
Antes, los días transcurrían más lentamente.
In the past, the days used to pass more slowly.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Yo transcurría mis tardes jugando en la calle.
I used to spend my afternoons playing in the street.
yo
Nosotros transcurríamos mucho tiempo esperando.
We spent a lot of time waiting.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite ('transcurrió') for descriptions or ongoing past actions.
Correct: For background or continuous past time, use the imperfect: 'Los años transcurrían'.
Why: The imperfect sets the scene or describes ongoing states, while the preterite focuses on completed events.
Mistake: Confusing the 'yo' and 'él/ella/usted' forms ('transcurría').
Correct: Both 'yo' and 'él/ella/usted' use 'transcurría'. Context will tell you who is meant.
Why: This is a regular feature of the imperfect tense for -ir verbs, where these two pronouns share the same form.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: transcurro
The present tense 'transcurre' describes ongoing actions, habits, or general truths about time passing.
Preterite
yo: transcurrí
The preterite of transcurrir is regular: transcurrí, transcurriste, transcurrió, transcurrimos, transcurristeis, transcurrieron.
Future
yo: transcurriré
The future tense 'transcurrirá' indicates future actions or probability about time passing.
Conditional
yo: transcurriría
The conditional 'transcurriría' is for hypotheticals ('would'), polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: transcurra
The present subjunctive ('transcurra') expresses wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty about the present or future.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: transcurriera
The imperfect subjunctive ('transcurriera' or 'transcurriera') is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or uncertainties.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: transcurre
Use 'transcurre' (tú), 'transcurra' (usted), 'transcurramos' (nosotros), 'transcurran' (ustedes), 'transcurrid' (vosotros) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no transcurras
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive: 'no transcurras' (tú), 'no transcurra' (usted), etc.