The Imperfect Tense of Intentar is used to describe continuous or repeated actions in the past, for example, Intentaba aprender español cuando vivía en España. (I was trying to learn Spanish when I lived in Spain.)

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

Conjugations

Conjugations of Intentar (to try) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Castilian Spanish):

The imperfect tense of intentar is used to describe an ongoing or repeated action in the past, or to express a past state or condition.

Trying to do something: For example, Intentaba aprender español cuando vivía en México. (I was trying to learn Spanish when I lived in Mexico.) This meaning conveys the idea of making an effort or attempting to do something in the past.

Attempting repeatedly: For example, Cada día intentaba llamar a mi abuela, pero nunca contestaba. (Every day I tried to call my grandmother, but she never answered.) This usage implies repeated attempts or efforts in the past.

Expressing a past intention or plan: For example, Intentábamos ir al cine, pero al final no pudimos. (We were intending to go to the movies, but in the end we couldn’t.) This meaning conveys a past intention or plan that may or may not have been carried out.

Describing a past habit or routine: For example, De niño, intentaba ayudar a mi madre con las tareas de la casa. (As a child, I tried to help my mother with the household chores.) This usage refers to a past habit or routine action.

Expressing a past desire or wish: For example, Siempre intentaba hacer feliz a mi pareja. (I always tried to make my partner happy.) This meaning conveys a past desire or wish to achieve something.

Examples

Examples of Intentar in the Imperfect Tense

Yo intentaba aprender español, pero era muy difícil. (I was trying to learn Spanish, but it was very difficult.)

Ellos intentaban llegar a tiempo a la fiesta, pero el tráfico estaba horrible. (They were trying to get to the party on time, but the traffic was horrible.)

Nosotros intentábamos encontrar un buen restaurante, pero todos estaban llenos. (We were trying to find a good restaurant, but they were all full.)

Tú intentabas explicarme las direcciones, pero yo no entendía nada. (You were trying to explain the directions to me, but I didn’t understand anything.)

Vosotros intentabais hacer una broma, pero nadie se rió. (You were trying to make a joke, but no one laughed.)

Ella intentaba cocinar una receta nueva, pero le salió mal. (She was trying to cook a new recipe, but it turned out badly.)

Ustedes intentaban resolver el problema, pero no encontraban la solución. (You were trying to solve the problem, but you couldn’t find the solution.)

Él intentaba impresionar a su novia, pero ella no estaba interesada. (He was trying to impress his girlfriend, but she wasn’t interested.)

Yo intentaba hacer ejercicio todas las mañanas, pero a veces me quedaba dormido. (I was trying to exercise every morning, but sometimes I overslept.)

Ellas intentaban ahorrar dinero para unas vacaciones, pero siempre gastaban demasiado. (They were trying to save money for a vacation, but they always spent too much.)

Nosotros intentábamos aprender a bailar salsa, pero era muy complicado. (We were trying to learn how to dance salsa, but it was very complicated.)

Tú intentabas hacer una broma, pero nadie entendió el chiste. (You were trying to make a joke, but no one understood the punchline.)

Vosotros intentabais encontrar un trabajo nuevo, pero no había muchas oportunidades. (You were trying to find a new job, but there weren’t many opportunities.)

Ella intentaba aprender a tocar la guitarra, pero le costaba mucho trabajo. (She was trying to learn to play the guitar, but it was very difficult for her.)

Ustedes intentaban hacer una fiesta sorpresa, pero alguien arruinó la sorpresa. (You were trying to throw a surprise party, but someone ruined the surprise.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Intentar (to try) in the Imperfect Tense 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.