Learn valer conjugation in Pretérito Imperfecto step by step with detailed explanations

Image of valer conjugation in Pretérito Imperfecto

valer means: to cost, to be worth

In this lesson we are going to learn how to conjugate the verb valer in the Pretérito Imperfecto tense of the Indicativo mood. It means we will see step by step how to create the following conjugation:

yo	valía	I cost
tú	valías	you cost
él/ella/usted	valía	he/she/it cost
nosotros/nosotras	valíamos	we cost
vosotros/vosotras	valíais	you cost
ellos/ellas/ustedes	valían	they cost

This lesson is specifically about the valer verb conjugation. For a general overview of Simple Tenses conjugation see the Simple Tenses Conjugation Chart.

We also have a Video Presentation on how to conjugate verbs in Pretérito Imperfecto. It’s embedded on the right, but using the above link you can get additional information on conjugation in this tense and explanation of exceptions and special cases.

How to translate Pretérito Imperfecto to English

Notice that the phrases in English in the third column of the above conjugation chart are not direct translations from Spanish to English. They are usually the closest general equivalents. The example differences are:

In Spanish, there is the form usted in the third person singular. But this person does not translate to the English third person singular. It translates to the so called formal you and uses the inflected form which is most often represented as he/she/it in English conjugation charts.
Similar situation happens in the third person plural, where ustedes translates to the English plural formal you but uses the form which corresponds to the they form in English.
Tenses are used differently in Spanish and English, so the actual translation should always take into account the context and focus on translating the meaning, not just words.
In both languages each verb may have multiple meanings and not every meaning translates directly to the other language. Here also, the context and focusing on the particular meaning helps to create the most accurate translation.

Note the timeline

The ability to properly locate the desired position on the timeline is an important skill for the right choice of tenses. So note the timeline in our lessons and visualize it while listening, speaking, reading or writing. After some practice you will be able to select the right tense to use much easier. timeline preterito imperfecto how to conjugate spanish verbs

timeline preterito imperfecto how to conjugate spanish verbs

Step by step instructions

Pretérito Imperfecto belongs to the simple tenses group, which means that all of its inflected forms are one word long. There are also compound (compuesto) tenses in the Spanish language, where each inflected form consists of two words.

The verb valer has an almost regular conjugation in the Pretérito Imperfecto tense of the Indicativo mood. An exception is the first person singular, which has an irregular form. It means the other persons follow the basic rules for this conjugation group (-er) without further exceptions.

The basis for this conjugation is the stem of the verb, so we need to start by splitting the infinitive into a stem and an ending. It’s very easy to do. Simply remove two letters from the end of the infinitive form to get the ending — one of -ar, -er or -ir. What’s left is the stem.

So in case of our verb:

the stem is: val-
and the ending is: -er

Use the stem val- in each person as the basis for conjugations, the common prefix or root that each of the forms begins with.

endings preterito imperfecto er how to conjugate spanish verbs

Next, add to this regular stem the endings specific to each person. Check out the image showing all the endings. Note both the shapes and colors of the letters. They are arranged to help you find patterns and make it easier to remember these endings.

Also note that in verb groups -er and -ir all the endings in both Pretéterito Imperfecto and Condicional tenses are the same. Good tip to remember. The only difference is that the Condicional uses the entire infinitive as the stem.

Each grammatical person has a specific ending in each of the three conjugation groups -ar, -er, -ir.

Add the regular ending -ía for the first person singular to create valía:

yo valía

Also as in the previous case add the regular ending -ías for the second person singular to create valías:

tú valías

And add the regular ending -ía for the third person singular to create valía:

él valía
ella valía
usted valía

Similarly add the regular ending -íamos for the first person plural to create valíamos:

nosotros valíamos
nosotras valíamos

Again add the regular ending -íais for the second person plural to create valíais:

vosotros valíais
vosotras valíais

And add the regular ending -ían for the third person plural to create valían:

ellos valían
ellas valían
ustedes valían

That’s it! The conjugation is now complete. But don’t end your session yet – it’s important to repeat and practice the material in order to remember it. Check below for some links.

Next Steps

To practice this conjugation and test your skills check this Conjugation Exercise or the Memory Game
To see other conjugation lessons for this verb choose another tense:
For exercises and examples related to valer visit our Exercise section
To see conjugation charts in all tenses for valer visit the Conjugator
To explore other learning materials visit the Study section