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Conjugation Chart

“Poner” (to put) in the Imperfect Tense

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Understanding the Imperfect Tense of “Poner”

The Imperfect Tense of poner is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example, Ponía la mesa todas las noches. (I used to set the table every night.)

Poner is a regular -er verb, so its Imperfect conjugations follow the typical pattern for that verb type.

How to Use Poner in the Imperfect Tense

The imperfect tense of poner is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, as well as descriptions and states of being.

To put or place something: For example, Ponía los libros en la mesa. (I used to put the books on the table.)

To set or establish something: For example, El profesor ponía las reglas de la clase. (The teacher used to set the class rules.)

To start doing something: For example, Me ponía a estudiar después de cenar. (I would start studying after dinner.)

To add an ingredient: For example, Ponía sal y pimienta en la comida. (I used to add salt and pepper to the food.)

To get dressed or put on clothes: For example, Me ponía el uniforme para ir a la escuela. (I would put on my uniform to go to school.)

To set or turn on something: For example, Ponía la radio mientras cocinaba. (I used to turn on the radio while cooking.)

To write or put down something: For example, Ponía mi nombre en la hoja de asistencia. (I used to write my name on the attendance sheet.)

To set or establish a goal or objective: For example, Me ponía metas para mejorar mi español. (I used to set goals to improve my Spanish.)

To make or cause something to happen: For example, Ponía mucho esfuerzo en mis estudios. (I used to put a lot of effort into my studies.)

To give a name or nickname: For example, Le ponía “Gordi” a mi amigo. (I used to call my friend “Gordi”.)

To set or establish a price or value: For example, El vendedor ponía precios altos. (The vendor used to set high prices.)

To set or establish a date or time: For example, Ponía la alarma para levantarme temprano. (I used to set the alarm to wake up early.)

To put or place someone or something in a certain position or location: For example, Ponía a mi hijo en la silla alta para comer. (I used to put my son in the high chair to eat.)

To put or place someone or something in a certain state or condition: For example, El ejercicio me ponía de buen humor. (Exercise used to put me in a good mood.)

To put or place someone or something in a certain situation or circumstance: For example, Ponía a mi hermano en una situación incómoda. (I used to put my brother in an uncomfortable situation.)

To put or place someone or something in a certain role or position: For example, Me ponía en el papel de líder del grupo. (I used to put myself in the role of group leader.)

To put or place someone or something in a certain state of mind or emotion: For example, Las malas noticias me ponían triste. (Bad news used to make me sad.)

To put or place someone or something in a certain state of being or existence: For example, El ruido me ponía nervioso. (The noise used to make me nervous.)

To put or place someone or something in a certain state of health or physical condition: For example, El estrés me ponía enfermo. (Stress used to make me sick.)

To put or place someone or something in a certain state of mind or mental condition: For example, Los exámenes me ponían ansioso. (Exams used to make me anxious.)

To put or place someone or something in a certain state of being or existence: For example, El trabajo me ponía en una situación difícil. (Work used to put me in a difficult situation.)

To put or place someone or something in a certain state of being or existence: For example, El sol me ponía de mal humor. (The sun used to put me in a bad mood.)

To put or place someone or something in a certain state of being or existence: For example, La música me ponía feliz. (Music used to make me happy.)

To put or place someone or something in a certain state of being or existence: For example, El frío me ponía de mal humor. (The cold used to put me in a bad mood.)

To put or place someone or something in a certain state of being or existence: For example, El calor me ponía perezoso. (The heat used to make me lazy.)

To put or place someone or something in a certain state of being or existence: For example, La lluvia me ponía melancólico. (The rain used to make me melancholic.)

To put or place someone or something in a certain state of being or existence: For example, El vino me ponía alegre. (Wine used to make me cheerful.)

To put or place someone or something in a certain state of being or existence: For example, El café me ponía nervioso. (Coffee used to make me nervous.)

To put or place someone or something in a certain state of being or existence: For example, El ruido me ponía de mal humor. (Noise used to put me in a bad mood.)

To put or place someone or something in a certain state of being or existence: For example, El silencio me ponía tranquilo

Real Life Examples of Poner in the Imperfect Tense

Yo ponía la mesa mientras mi madre cocinaba. (I was setting the table while my mother cooked.)

Ellos ponían mucha atención en clase. (They were paying close attention in class.)

Tú ponías demasiado empeño en tus estudios. (You were putting too much effort into your studies.)

Nosotros poníamos la ropa sucia en la lavadora. (We were putting the dirty clothes in the washing machine.)

Ustedes ponían las maletas en el maletero del coche. (You were putting the suitcases in the car’s trunk.)

Ella ponía los platos en el fregadero después de comer. (She was putting the dishes in the sink after eating.)

Vosotros poníais mucho entusiasmo en el juego. (You were putting a lot of enthusiasm into the game.)

Él ponía sus ideas por escrito en un cuaderno. (He was putting his ideas in writing in a notebook.)

Ellas ponían las flores en un florero. (They were putting the flowers in a vase.)

Tú ponías demasiada azúcar en el café. (You were putting too much sugar in the coffee.)

Nosotros poníamos nuestros ahorros en el banco. (We were putting our savings in the bank.)

Ustedes ponían mucho esfuerzo en el trabajo. (You were putting a lot of effort into work.)

Ella ponía la alarma todas las noches. (She was setting the alarm every night.)

Vosotros poníais demasiada sal en la comida. (You were putting too much salt in the food.)

Ellos ponían sus esperanzas en el futuro. (They were putting their hopes in the future.)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

Conjugations of Poner (to put) 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.