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Conjugation Chart

“Utilizar” (to use) in the Imperfect Tense

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Understanding the Imperfect Tense of “Utilizar”

The Imperfect Tense of utilizar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example, Utilizaba el ordenador para hacer mis tareas. (I used the computer to do my homework.)

Utilizar is a regular -ar verb, so its Imperfect conjugations follow the typical pattern by dropping the infinitive ending and adding the Imperfect endings.

How to Use Utilizar in the Imperfect Tense

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

Describing ongoing or repeated actions in the past: For example, Cuando era niño, utilizaba el ordenador para jugar videojuegos. (When I was a child, I used the computer to play video games.)

Describing states of being or descriptions in the past: For example, La empresa utilizaba un sistema anticuado. (The company used an outdated system.)

Expressing habitual actions in the past: For example, Antes, utilizábamos el coche para ir al trabajo. (Before, we used to take the car to work.)

Expressing actions interrupted by another action in the past: For example, Utilizaba el ordenador cuando se fue la luz. (I was using the computer when the power went out.)

Expressing actions in progress at a specific time in the past: For example, A las 8 de la mañana, utilizaba la impresora. (At 8 in the morning, I was using the printer.)

Real Life Examples of Utilizar in the Imperfect Tense

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

Ellos utilizaban una aplicación para encontrar restaurantes cercanos. (They used an app to find nearby restaurants.)

¿Utilizabas el diccionario cuando estudiabas un nuevo idioma? (Did you use the dictionary when you studied a new language?)

Nosotros utilizábamos mapas impresos antes de que existieran los GPS. (We used printed maps before GPS existed.)

Ustedes utilizaban demasiado papel en la oficina. (You used too much paper at the office.)

Ella utilizaba su tiempo libre para hacer ejercicio. (She used her free time to exercise.)

Vosotros utilizabais mucho el teléfono cuando erais jóvenes. (You used the phone a lot when you were young.)

Mis padres utilizaban recetas tradicionales para cocinar. (My parents used traditional recipes for cooking.)

¿Utilizabas las redes sociales para mantenerte en contacto con tus amigos? (Did you use social media to keep in touch with your friends?)

Ellas utilizaban un servicio de streaming para ver películas. (They used a streaming service to watch movies.)

Tú utilizabas demasiados recursos en tu proyecto. (You used too many resources on your project.)

Nosotros utilizábamos la biblioteca para estudiar en silencio. (We used the library to study in silence.)

Vosotros utilizabais mucha tecnología en vuestro trabajo. (You used a lot of technology in your job.)

Ellos utilizaban un servicio de entrega a domicilio para ahorrar tiempo. (They used a delivery service to save time.)

¿Utilizabas aplicaciones de citas cuando estabas soltero? (Did you use dating apps when you were single?)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

Conjugations of Utilizar (to use) 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.