untar Imperfect Conjugation
untar — to spread
Use 'untaba' for ongoing or habitual past spreading.
untar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
The imperfect 'untaba' describes actions of spreading that were happening continuously in the past, or things that were done habitually. It sets the scene or describes background actions.
Notes on untar in the Imperfect
Untar is regular in the imperfect indicative.
Example Sentences
Cuando era niño, yo untaba azúcar en el pan.
When I was a child, I used to spread sugar on bread.
yo
Tú untabas la mayonesa en todos los sándwiches.
You were spreading mayonnaise on all the sandwiches.
tú
Mientras mi madre cocinaba, ella untaba aceite en el molde.
While my mother was cooking, she was spreading oil in the pan.
él/ella/usted
Ellos untaban mantequilla mientras esperaban.
They were spreading butter while they waited.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite 'untó' for a habitual past action.
Correct: For past habits or ongoing actions, use the imperfect: 'untaba'.
Why: The preterite describes completed events, while the imperfect describes the background or ongoing nature of past actions.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: unto
Use 'unto', 'untas', 'unta' for actions of spreading happening now or habitually.
Preterite
yo: unté
Use 'unté', 'untaste', 'untó' for completed actions of spreading in the past.
Future
yo: untaré
Use 'untaré', 'untarás', 'untará' for actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: untaría
Use 'untaría' for 'would spread' - hypotheticals and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: unte
Use 'unte' for wishes, doubts, or recommendations about spreading.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: untara
Use 'untara' or 'untase' for past hypothetical or uncertain 'spreading' situations.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: unta
Use 'unta' for direct commands to 'tú', like 'spread the jam!'
Negative Imperative
yo: no untes
Use 'no untes' for negative commands to 'tú', like 'don't spread that!'