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

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

yo	aprendía
tú	aprendías
él/ella/usted	aprendía
nosotros/nosotras	aprendíamos
vosotros/vosotras	aprendíais
ellos/ellas/ustedes	aprendían

This lesson is specifically about the aprender conjugation. For an overview of all the Simple Tenses conjugation have a look at the Simple Tenses Conjugation Chart.

You may also see this Video Presentation on how to conjugate verbs in Pretérito Imperfecto. It’s embedded on the right, but you may as well see it in its article containing additional information.

The objective of this series is to explain as much as possible the logic behind spelling corrections and exceptions. That way the amount of stuff which needs to be learned by heart will be minimized and the learning process will be more effective. It means learning quicker and with less effort.

Note the timeline

The ability to properly locate the intended position on the timeline is a crucial skill for proper use of tenses. So pay attention to the timeline in our lessons and visualize it while speaking, listening, writing and reading. After some practice you’ll be able to select the right tense to use much easier.

Step by step instructions

The verb aprender has a completely regular conjugation in the Pretérito Imperfecto tense of the Indicativo mood. It means that this verb follows the basic rules for its conjugation group (-er) without any exceptions, spelling corrections and the like. This tense is really easy, because there are only three exceptions!

The basis for this conjugation is the stem of this verb, so we begin by splitting the infinitive into a stem and an ending. It’s easy to do – simply remove two letters from the end of the infinitive form and you have the ending – one of -ar, -er, -ir. What’s left is the stem. So in case of the verb aprender it’s easy to see that: the stem is: aprend- and the ending is: -er

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

Next, add to this regular stem the endings specific to each person. See the image on the side showing all the six endings. Notice the colors and shapes of the letters. It should help you find patterns and make it easier to remember these endings. Also notice that in verb groups -er and -ir all six 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 get aprendía

And as before add the regular ending -ías for the second person singular to get aprendías

And as before add the regular ending -ía for the third person singular to get aprendía

Also as in the previous case add the regular ending -íamos for the first person plural to get aprendíamos

Similarly add the regular ending -íais for the second person plural to get aprendíais

Similarly add the regular ending -ían for the third person plural to get aprendían

Hurray! The conjugation is now finished. But don’t end your session yet – it is very 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 try this Conjugation Exercise
• To see other conjugation lessons for this verb choose another tense: Presente (indicativo)Pretérito Perfecto Simple (indicativo)Condicional (indicativo)Futuro (indicativo) 
• For various exercises related to this verb, visit our Exercise section
• To see conjugation charts in all tenses for this verb, visit the Conjugator
• To explore other learning materials visit the Study section

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