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Conjugation Chart

“Aplicar” (to apply) in the Imperfect Tense

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Understanding the Imperfect Tense of “Aplicar”

The Imperfect Tense of aplicar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example, Aplicaba crema solar cada mañana. (I used to apply sunscreen every morning.)

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

How to Use Aplicar in the Imperfect Tense

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

To apply (something): Por ejemplo, aplicaba crema solar cada día en la playa. (I applied sunscreen every day at the beach.)

To implement or put into practice: Por ejemplo, el gobierno aplicaba nuevas políticas económicas. (The government was implementing new economic policies.)

To use or employ: Por ejemplo, el profesor aplicaba métodos innovadores en clase. (The teacher employed innovative methods in class.)

To dedicate or devote (colloquial): Por ejemplo, ¿Te aplicabas al estudio o solo jugabas videojuegos? (Were you dedicating yourself to studying or just playing video games?)

Real Life Examples of Aplicar in the Imperfect Tense

Yo aplicaba las técnicas de relajación antes de cada examen. (I used to apply relaxation techniques before each exam.)

Ellos aplicaban las reglas de manera estricta en el trabajo. (They used to apply the rules strictly at work.)

Tú aplicabas demasiado maquillaje cuando eras adolescente. (You used to apply too much makeup when you were a teenager.)

Nosotros aplicábamos los consejos de nuestros padres en nuestra vida diaria. (We used to apply our parents’ advice in our daily lives.)

Vosotros aplicabais la misma estrategia en cada partido de fútbol. (You all used to apply the same strategy in every soccer game.)

Ella aplicaba un tratamiento natural para el cabello cada semana. (She used to apply a natural hair treatment every week.)

Ustedes aplicaban los descuentos de manera justa a todos los clientes. (You all used to apply discounts fairly to all customers.)

Yo aplicaba los conocimientos adquiridos en la universidad en mi primer empleo. (I used to apply the knowledge acquired at university in my first job.)

Ellos aplicaban las últimas tendencias en decoración de interiores. (They used to apply the latest interior design trends.)

Tú aplicabas un filtro especial a tus fotos antes de subirlas a las redes sociales. (You used to apply a special filter to your photos before uploading them to social media.)

Nosotros aplicábamos los principios de la economía circular en nuestro negocio. (We used to apply the principles of the circular economy in our business.)

Vosotros aplicabais un método innovador para enseñar matemáticas. (You all used to apply an innovative method to teach mathematics.)

Ella aplicaba una mascarilla facial cada noche antes de dormir. (She used to apply a facial mask every night before sleeping.)

Ustedes aplicaban un enfoque holístico en su práctica médica. (You all used to apply a holistic approach in your medical practice.)

Yo aplicaba las técnicas de negociación que aprendí en el curso. (I used to apply the negotiation techniques I learned in the course.)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

Conjugations of Aplicar (to apply) 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.