Memorize “Acabar” conjugations in the Imperfect Tense effortlessly. Our unique loop-based audio helps you absorb verb forms naturally—just like native speakers. Tap to play and start memorizing 10x faster now!

Pro Tip: Play the audio on a loop while reviewing the conjugation chart to naturally absorb the correct forms. Try it now!

Conjugation Chart of “Acabar” (to finish) in the Imperfect Tense

Why Use Loop-Based Learning

• 🧠 Activates natural language processing in the brain
• 🔄 Makes conjugations feel automatic
• 📝 Reduces mental effort compared to rote memorization
• 💡 Builds fluency through repetition

Unlike traditional methods that rely on memorizing rules and grammar drills, our approach mimics how native speakers naturally acquire language—by hearing patterns repeatedly in context. This activates your brain’s phonological loop, making verb forms feel familiar and automatic.

To learn more about the science behind this technique, read our detailed article: The Neuroscience of Language Learning: How Listening on a Loop Strengthens Your Fluency

Understanding the Imperfect Tense of “Acabar”

The Imperfect Tense of acabar is used to describe actions that were ongoing or repeated in the past, for example, Yo acababa mi tarea cuando mi hermano llegó. (I was finishing my homework when my brother arrived.)

Acabar is a regular -ar verb, so its conjugations in the Imperfect Tense follow the typical pattern for this verb type.

How to Use Acabar in the Imperfect Tense

The imperfect tense of acabar is used to describe actions that were ongoing or repeated in the past.

Expressing an ongoing action in the past: For example, Acababa de limpiar la casa cuando llegó mi madre. (I was finishing cleaning the house when my mother arrived.)

Expressing a repeated or habitual action in the past: For example, Cuando era niño, siempre acababa mis tareas antes de salir a jugar. (When I was a child, I always finished my homework before going out to play.)

Expressing a recently completed action in the past: For example, Acababa de terminar mi trabajo cuando sonó el teléfono. (I had just finished my work when the phone rang.)

Expressing frustration or annoyance (colloquial): For example, ¡Acababa con esta situación! (I’m fed up with this situation!)

Real Life Examples of Acabar in the Imperfect Tense

Yo acababa de llegar a la fiesta cuando mi amigo me presentó a su novia. (I had just arrived at the party when my friend introduced me to his girlfriend.)

Ellos acababan de terminar sus estudios cuando decidieron viajar por Latinoamérica. (They had just finished their studies when they decided to travel around Latin America.)

Nosotros acabábamos de comer cuando llegaron los invitados. (We had just finished eating when the guests arrived.)

Ustedes acababan de llegar al trabajo cuando el jefe los llamó a una reunión. (You had just arrived at work when the boss called you to a meeting.)

Ella acababa de comprar un vestido nuevo cuando se dio cuenta de que no le quedaba bien. (She had just bought a new dress when she realized it didn’t fit her well.)

Vosotros acababais de ver una película cuando decidisteis salir a cenar. (You had just watched a movie when you decided to go out for dinner.)

Él acababa de terminar su turno cuando recibió una llamada urgente. (He had just finished his shift when he received an urgent call.)

Yo acababa de leer un libro interesante cuando decidí compartirlo con mis amigos. (I had just read an interesting book when I decided to share it with my friends.)

Ellas acababan de llegar a la ciudad cuando se dieron cuenta de que habían olvidado el mapa. (They had just arrived in the city when they realized they had forgotten the map.)

Nosotros acabábamos de terminar el proyecto cuando el jefe nos felicitó. (We had just finished the project when the boss congratulated us.)

Ustedes acababan de conocerse cuando decidieron salir juntos. (You had just met when you decided to go out together.)

Ella acababa de aprender a cocinar cuando decidió abrir un restaurante. (She had just learned to cook when she decided to open a restaurant.)

Vosotros acababais de mudarse a un nuevo apartamento cuando os dísteis cuenta de que no tenía ascensor. (You had just moved to a new apartment when you realized it didn’t have an elevator.)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

Conjugations of Acabar (to finish) in the Imperfect Tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Castilian Spanish. For Latin American Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Imperfect tense is also known as the Past Imperfect, Descriptive Past, Past Progressive, or Imperfect Indicative in English, and as Pretérito Imperfecto, Copretérito, Imperfecto de Indicativo, or Pasado Descriptivo in Spanish.