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Conjugation Chart of “Preparar” (to prepare) in the Imperfect Tense

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Understanding the Imperfect Tense of “Preparar”

The Imperfect Tense of Preparar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example: Yo preparaba la cena todas las noches. (I used to prepare dinner every night.)

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

How to Use Preparar in the Imperfect Tense

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

Preparing food or drinks: For example, Yo preparaba el desayuno todas las mañanas. (I used to prepare breakfast every morning.) Ella preparaba café para todos. (She would prepare coffee for everyone.)

Getting ready: For example, Los niños se preparaban para ir a la escuela. (The kids were getting ready to go to school.) Me preparaba para el examen. (I was preparing for the exam.)

Arranging or organizing: For example, Preparábamos todo para la fiesta. (We were preparing everything for the party.) Preparaba sus cosas para el viaje. (He was preparing his things for the trip.)

Rehearsing or practicing: For example, El equipo preparaba la nueva coreografía. (The team was rehearsing the new choreography.) Preparábamos la obra de teatro. (We were practicing the play.)

Slang: Getting someone ready (sexually): For example, La preparaba para la acción. (I was getting her ready for the action.) This usage is considered rude or vulgar.

Real Life Examples of Preparar in the Imperfect Tense

Yo preparaba la cena mientras mi esposa trabajaba. (I was preparing dinner while my wife worked.)

Ellos preparaban sus maletas para el viaje de vacaciones. (They were preparing their suitcases for the vacation trip.)

Nosotros preparábamos el proyecto de investigación con mucho cuidado. (We were preparing the research project very carefully.)

Tú preparabas el café todas las mañanas, ¿verdad? (You used to prepare coffee every morning, right?)

Ella preparaba su portafolio para la entrevista de trabajo. (She was preparing her portfolio for the job interview.)

Ustedes preparaban la fiesta de cumpleaños con mucha emoción. (You all were preparing the birthday party with great excitement.)

Él preparaba su equipaje para el viaje de negocios. (He was preparing his luggage for the business trip.)

¿Acaso preparabas la comida típica para el festival cultural? (Were you preparing the traditional food for the cultural festival?)

Las chicas preparaban sus disfraces para la fiesta de Halloween. (The girls were preparing their costumes for the Halloween party.)

Mis padres preparaban la cena familiar todos los domingos. (My parents used to prepare the family dinner every Sunday.)

¿Ustedes preparaban el informe financiero para la junta directiva? (Were you all preparing the financial report for the board meeting?)

Yo preparaba mi discurso para la graduación con mucha ilusión. (I was preparing my graduation speech with great excitement.)

Ellas preparaban las decoraciones para la boda de su hermana. (They were preparing the decorations for their sister’s wedding.)

Nosotros preparábamos el jardín para la fiesta al aire libre. (We were preparing the garden for the outdoor party.)

Tú preparabas tus materiales para la clase de arte, ¿cierto? (You were preparing your materials for the art class, right?)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

Conjugations of Preparar (to prepare) 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.