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Conjugation Chart

“Negar” (to deny) in the Imperfect Tense

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Understanding the Imperfect Tense of “Negar”

The Imperfect Tense of negar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example, Yo negaba que fuera culpable. (I denied that I was guilty.)

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

How to Use Negar in the Imperfect Tense

The imperfect tense of negar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, or to set the scene for another past action.

To deny or refuse: Por ejemplo, Siempre negaba que le gustaba el queso. (He always denied that he liked cheese.) This meaning can also imply rudely refusing or rejecting something.

To contradict or disagree: Por ejemplo, Negaba todo lo que decía su hermana. (He contradicted everything his sister said.) This can convey arguing or disputing someone’s statements.

To withhold or deprive: Por ejemplo, No le negaban nada a su hijo consentido. (They didn’t withhold anything from their spoiled son.) This meaning suggests refusing to give or allow something.

To deny oneself: Por ejemplo, Se negaba los placeres de la vida. (He denied himself life’s pleasures.) This idiomatic usage implies self-deprivation or abstinence.

Real Life Examples of Negar in the Imperfect Tense

Yo negaba que tuviera problemas con el alcohol. (I denied having problems with alcohol.)

Ella negaba haber visto la película antes. (She denied having seen the movie before.)

Nosotros negábamos la entrada a los menores de edad. (We denied entry to minors.)

Tú negabas tus sentimientos por él. (You denied your feelings for him.)

Ustedes negaban la realidad de la situación. (You all denied the reality of the situation.)

Él negaba haber cometido el crimen. (He denied having committed the crime.)

Vosotros negabais la evidencia científica. (You all denied the scientific evidence.)

Ellos negaban la existencia de la discriminación. (They denied the existence of discrimination.)

Yo negaba la necesidad de buscar ayuda profesional. (I denied the need to seek professional help.)

Tú negabas haber dicho esas palabras hirientes. (You denied having said those hurtful words.)

Ella negaba su responsabilidad en el accidente. (She denied her responsibility in the accident.)

Nosotros negábamos la gravedad de la situación. (We denied the gravity of the situation.)

Ustedes negaban haber recibido el paquete. (You all denied having received the package.)

Ellos negaban la necesidad de cambiar sus hábitos. (They denied the need to change their habits.)

Vosotros negabais la importancia de la educación. (You all denied the importance of education.)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

Conjugations of Negar (to deny) 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.