necesitaban
neh-seh-see-TAH-bahn
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Ellos necesitaban más tiempo para terminar el examen.
A2They needed more time to finish the exam.
Las plantas necesitaban agua después de la sequía.
A2The plants needed water after the drought.
Ustedes necesitaban una reserva para entrar al restaurante.
B1You all needed a reservation to enter the restaurant.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Background' Past
Use 'necesitaban' when describing an ongoing need in the past, like a backdrop in a story, rather than a quick one-time event.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Choosing the right past form
Mistake: "Using 'necesitaron' to describe how someone felt for a long time."
Correction: Use 'necesitaban' for ongoing states and 'necesitaron' for a sudden, specific moment of need.
⭐ Usage Tips
They vs. You All
Remember that 'necesitaban' can mean 'they needed' OR 'you all needed' (when speaking formally). The context usually makes it clear!
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: necesitaban
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence means 'They needed help for many years'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'necesitaban' and 'necesitaron'?
'Necesitaban' is used for an ongoing or continuous need in the past (like 'they were needing'), while 'necesitaron' is for a completed, specific instance of needing something.