usar Imperfect Conjugation
usar — to use
The imperfect of usar follows the standard -aba pattern: usaba, usabas, usaba, usábamos, usabais, usaban.
usar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect to describe things you used to use habitually in the past, like a favorite childhood toy, or to describe what someone was using when something else happened.
Notes on usar in the Imperfect
This verb is completely regular in the imperfect. Note the accent on the nosotros form: usábamos.
Example Sentences
De niño, yo usaba gafas para leer.
As a child, I used to use glasses to read.
yo
Antes usábamos mucho el teléfono fijo.
We used to use the landline a lot before.
nosotros
Ellas usaban vestidos largos en las fiestas.
They used to wear (use) long dresses at parties.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on usábamos.
Correct: Always write usábamos with an accent on the second 'a'.
Why: All regular -ar verbs in the imperfect require an accent on the nosotros form.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: uso
The present tense of usar is regular: uso, usas, usa, usamos, usáis, usan.
Preterite
yo: usé
The preterite of usar is regular: usé, usaste, usó, usamos, usasteis, usaron.
Future
yo: usaré
The future of usar is formed by adding endings to the infinitive: usaré, usarás, usará, usaremos, usaréis, usarán.
Conditional
yo: usaría
The conditional of usar is regular: usaría, usarías, usaría, usaríamos, usaríais, usarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: use
The present subjunctive of usar uses 'e' endings: use, uses, use, usemos, uséis, usen.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: usara
The imperfect subjunctive of usar is regular: usara, usaras, usara, usáramos, usarais, usaran.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: usa
The affirmative imperative of usar provides commands: usa, use, usemos, usad, usen.
Negative Imperative
yo: no uses
The negative imperative of usar uses subjunctive forms: no uses, no use, no usemos, no uséis, no usen.