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Conjugation Chart

“Utilizar” (to use) in the Imperfect Tense

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Understanding the Imperfect Tense of “Utilizar”

The Imperfect Tense of utilizar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example, Yo utilizaba el ordenador para hacer mis tareas. (I used to use the computer to do my homework.)

Utilizar is a regular -ar verb, so its conjugations in the Imperfect Tense follow the regular pattern for that verb type.

How to Use Utilizar in the Imperfect Tense

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

Describing an ongoing action in the past: For example, Utilizaba el ordenador para hacer mis tareas. (I was using the computer to do my homework.)

Describing a repeated or habitual action in the past: For example, Cuando era niño, utilizaba mucho los lápices de colores. (When I was a child, I used colored pencils a lot.)

Describing a past action without a specific beginning or end: For example, Utilizábamos la vieja impresora hasta que compramos una nueva. (We were using the old printer until we bought a new one.)

Describing a past action interrupted by another action: For example, Utilizaba la computadora cuando se fue la luz. (I was using the computer when the power went out.)

Describing a past action with a duration or frequency: For example, Utilizábamos esa aplicación todos los días. (We used that app every day.)

Colloquial/Slang usage: In some Latin American countries, utilizar can be used informally to mean “to have sex with someone,” as in Anoche la utilicé. (I had sex with her last night.) This usage is considered vulgar and offensive.

Real Life Examples of Utilizar in the Imperfect Tense

Yo utilizaba el transporte público para ir al trabajo. (I used to take public transportation to go to work.)

Ellos utilizaban la aplicación para encontrar restaurantes cercanos. (They used the app to find nearby restaurants.)

Nosotros utilizábamos un diccionario en línea para aprender nuevas palabras. (We used an online dictionary to learn new words.)

Tú utilizabas demasiado el celular durante las reuniones. (You used your phone too much during meetings.)

Ella utilizaba las redes sociales para mantenerse en contacto con sus amigos. (She used social media to stay in touch with her friends.)

Mis padres utilizaban un mapa impreso cuando viajaban. (My parents used a printed map when they traveled.)

¿Utilizabas la misma estrategia para estudiar? (Did you use the same strategy to study?)

En la universidad, utilizábamos la biblioteca para hacer investigaciones. (In college, we used the library to do research.)

Mi hermano utilizaba un traductor en línea para practicar idiomas. (My brother used an online translator to practice languages.)

Ellas utilizaban una aplicación de fitness para hacer seguimiento de sus rutinas. (They used a fitness app to track their routines.)

¿Utilizabas algún truco para recordar las fechas importantes? (Did you use any tricks to remember important dates?)

Nosotros utilizábamos un servicio de streaming para ver películas en casa. (We used a streaming service to watch movies at home.)

Él utilizaba un bloc de notas para anotar sus ideas. (He used a notebook to jot down his ideas.)

Ustedes utilizaban un sistema de gestión de proyectos para organizar su trabajo. (You used a project management system to organize your work.)

Yo utilizaba un diccionario de sinónimos para mejorar mi escritura. (I used a thesaurus to improve my writing.)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

Conjugations of Utilizar (to use) 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.