The Imperfect Tense of usar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example, Yo usaba el teléfono para llamar a mis amigos. (I used to use the phone to call my friends.)

Usar is a regular -ar verb, so its Imperfect Tense conjugations follow the typical pattern for that verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Usar (to use) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Latin American Spanish):

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

To use regularly or habitually: Por ejemplo, antes usaba el transporte público para ir al trabajo (I used to take public transportation to go to work).

To wear or have on: Por ejemplo, ella usaba un vestido rojo en la fiesta (she was wearing a red dress at the party).

To employ or utilize: Por ejemplo, en esa época usábamos máquinas de escribir (back then we used typewriters).

Colloquial usage: In some Latin American countries, it can mean “to trick or deceive someone”, for example, ¡No me uses! (Don’t mess with me!).

Examples

Examples of Usar in the Imperfect Tense

Yo usaba el transporte público para ir al trabajo. (I used to take public transportation to go to work.)

Ellos usaban la aplicación para encontrar restaurantes cercanos. (They used the app to find nearby restaurants.)

Nosotros usábamos mapas impresos cuando viajábamos antes de los smartphones. (We used printed maps when traveling before smartphones.)

Ella usaba un diccionario bilingüe para estudiar idiomas. (She used a bilingual dictionary to study languages.)

Tú usabas las redes sociales para mantenerte en contacto con tus amigos. (You used social media to stay in touch with your friends.)

Mis padres usaban la computadora para trabajar desde casa. (My parents used the computer to work from home.)

En la universidad, usábamos libros de texto para estudiar. (In college, we used textbooks to study.)

Ellas usaban el gimnasio para mantenerse en forma. (They used the gym to stay in shape.)

Yo usaba un traductor en línea cuando no entendía algunas palabras. (I used an online translator when I didn’t understand some words.)

Mis amigos usaban aplicaciones de citas para conocer gente nueva. (My friends used dating apps to meet new people.)

Nosotros usábamos el correo electrónico para comunicarnos con nuestros colegas. (We used email to communicate with our colleagues.)

Ella usaba un blog para compartir sus experiencias de viaje. (She used a blog to share her travel experiences.)

Tú usabas un diccionario de sinónimos para mejorar tu escritura. (You used a thesaurus to improve your writing.)

Ellos usaban una agenda para organizar sus actividades diarias. (They used a planner to organize their daily activities.)

En la oficina, usábamos programas de productividad para ser más eficientes. (At the office, we used productivity software to be more efficient.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Usar (to use) in the Imperfect Tense 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.