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Conjugation Chart

“Devolver” (to return (something)) in the Imperfect Tense

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Understanding the Imperfect Tense of “Devolver”

The Imperfect Tense of Devolver is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example: Yo devolvía los libros a la biblioteca cada semana. (I used to return the books to the library every week.)

Devolver is a regular -er verb, so its conjugations in the Imperfect Tense follow the standard pattern for this verb type.

How to Use Devolver in the Imperfect Tense

The imperfect tense of devolver is used to describe continuous or repeated actions in the past.

Returning something: For example, Yo devolvía los libros a la biblioteca cada semana. (I used to return the books to the library every week.)

Giving back: For example, Mi hermano me devolvía el dinero que le prestaba. (My brother used to give me back the money I lent him.)

Responding or replying (colloquial): For example, Siempre me devolvía con un chiste cuando le contaba un problema. (He would always respond with a joke when I told him a problem.)

Reflecting or bouncing back: For example, La pelota devolvía contra la pared una y otra vez. (The ball kept bouncing back against the wall over and over.)

Real Life Examples of Devolver in the Imperfect Tense

Yo devolvía los libros a la biblioteca cada mes. (I returned the books to the library every month.)

Ella devolvía las llamadas más tarde porque estaba ocupada. (She returned the calls later because she was busy.)

Nosotros devolvíamos los favores que nos hacían los vecinos. (We returned the favors that the neighbors did for us.)

Tú devolvías la pelota con mucha fuerza cuando jugábamos. (You returned the ball with a lot of force when we played.)

Ellos devolvían los regalos que no les gustaban. (They returned the gifts they didn’t like.)

Yo devolvía el cambio exacto en la tienda. (I gave back the exact change at the store.)

Ella devolvía los cumplidos con una sonrisa. (She returned compliments with a smile.)

Nosotros devolvíamos los saludos a los vecinos. (We returned greetings to the neighbors.)

Tú devolvías las bromas con más bromas. (You returned jokes with more jokes.)

Ellos devolvían los insultos con palabras amables. (They returned insults with kind words.)

Yo devolvía las cosas que tomaba prestadas. (I returned the things I borrowed.)

Ella devolvía los abrazos con cariño. (She returned hugs affectionately.)

Nosotros devolvíamos los saludos de los turistas. (We returned greetings from tourists.)

Tú devolvías las miradas con timidez. (You returned glances shyly.)

Ellos devolvían los golpes en la pelea callejera. (They returned blows in the street fight.)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

Conjugations of Devolver (to return (something)) in the Imperfect Tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian 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.