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Conjugation Chart

“Protestar” (to protest) in the Imperfect Tense

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Understanding the Imperfect Tense of “Protestar”

The Imperfect Tense of Protestar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example, Protestaba contra las injusticias sociales. (I used to protest against social injustices.)

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

How to Use Protestar in the Imperfect Tense

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

To protest or object: Por ejemplo, los estudiantes protestaban contra las nuevas reglas (The students were protesting against the new rules). This meaning can also convey complaining or expressing dissatisfaction, like mi hermano protestaba por tener que lavar los platos (my brother was protesting having to wash the dishes).

To claim or assert: For example, el acusado protestaba su inocencia (the accused was protesting his innocence). This usage implies firmly stating or maintaining a position.

To express disagreement (colloquial): For example, cada vez que sugeríamos un restaurante, mi amigo protestaba (every time we suggested a restaurant, my friend would protest). This conveys objecting or pushing back against an idea in a casual context.

To whine or complain excessively (informal/rude): For example, el niño protestaba por todo (the kid was protesting/whining about everything). This meaning carries a negative connotation of excessive or unjustified complaining.

Real Life Examples of Protestar in the Imperfect Tense

Yo protestaba contra las injusticias sociales. (I was protesting against social injustices.)

Ellos protestaban por los derechos de los trabajadores. (They were protesting for workers’ rights.)

Nosotros protestábamos pacíficamente en la plaza. (We were protesting peacefully in the square.)

Tú protestabas por el alza de los precios. (You were protesting against the price hikes.)

Ella protestaba por la falta de oportunidades. (She was protesting the lack of opportunities.)

Ellas protestaban contra la discriminación racial. (They were protesting against racial discrimination.)

Él protestaba por la contaminación ambiental. (He was protesting against environmental pollution.)

Ustedes protestaban por mejores condiciones laborales. (You were protesting for better working conditions.)

¿Por qué protestabas tanto? (Why were you protesting so much?)

Los activistas protestaban por los derechos de los animales. (The activists were protesting for animal rights.)

Mis amigos y yo protestábamos contra la corrupción gubernamental. (My friends and I were protesting against government corruption.)

La gente protestaba por la falta de servicios públicos. (People were protesting the lack of public services.)

¿Recuerdas cuando protestábamos por la paz? (Do you remember when we were protesting for peace?)

Los manifestantes protestaban por la libertad de expresión. (The protesters were protesting for freedom of expression.)

Siempre protestaba por causas justas. (I was always protesting for just causes.)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

Conjugations of Protestar (to protest) 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.