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Estar Imperfect Practice

Estar (to be (state)) in the imperfect: 14 free exercises with an explanation after every answer, plus the full conjugation table.

14 exercisesIrregularA1 – A2 level
IWhat to watch for

Good news: estar is completely regular in the imperfect. Take the stem est- and add the -ar endings -aba, -abas, -aba, -ábamos, -abais, -aban: estaba, estabas, estaba, estábamos, estabais, estaban. Only estábamos carries a written accent.

The trap is choosing estaba when the sentence really needs estuve, or vice versa. Reach for the imperfect when the sentence paints open background — where someone was, how they felt, what was in progress (estaba cenando) — especially alongside mientras, siempre, or an interrupting preterite.

IIConjugation
estarImperfect
yo
estaba
estabas
él / ella / usted
estaba
nosotros
estábamos
vosotros
estabais
ellos / ustedes
estaban
Irregular yo form (estoy), accented present endings, and the strong preterite stem estuv-.
IIIPractice exercises

Practice.

Answer first, then read the explanation. Don't skip it — that's the whole point.

Exercise 01 of 14Tag: Habitual past
Fill in the blank

Cuando yo era niño, siempre _____ jugando en la calle con mis vecinos. (estar)

When I was a kid, I was always playing in the street with my neighbors.

Exercise 02 of 14Tag: Tú form
Fill in the blank

¿Tú dónde _____ mientras nosotros limpiábamos toda la casa? (estar)

Where were you while we were cleaning the whole house?

Exercise 03 of 14Tag: Habitual past
Fill in the blank

Mi abuelo siempre _____ de buen humor por las mañanas. (estar)

My grandfather was always in a good mood in the mornings.

Exercise 04 of 14Tag: Interrupted action
Fill in the blank

Nosotros _____ cenando cuando de repente se fue la luz. (estar)

We were having dinner when suddenly the power went out.

Exercise 05 of 14Tag: Habitual past
Fill in the blank

Antes, mis tíos _____ todos los domingos en casa de la abuela. (estar)

Before, my aunt and uncle were at grandma's house every Sunday.

Exercise 06 of 14Tag: Interrupted action
Fill in the blank

Yo _____ dormida cuando sonó el teléfono a medianoche. (estar)

I was asleep when the phone rang at midnight.

Exercise 07 of 14Tag: Past location
Fill in the blank

La casa de mis abuelos _____ cerca de un río precioso. (estar)

My grandparents' house was near a beautiful river.

Exercise 08 of 14Tag: Tú form
Fill in the blank

Cuando te llamé, tú _____ todavía en la oficina. (estar)

When I called you, you were still at the office.

Exercise 09 of 14Tag: Background state
Fill in the blank

Los estudiantes _____ aburridos porque la clase era muy larga. (estar)

The students were bored because the class was very long.

Exercise 10 of 14Tag: Nosotros form
Fill in the blank

En esa época, Laura y yo _____ enojadas por una tontería. (estar)

Back then, Laura and I were angry over something silly.

Exercise 11 of 14Tag: Vosotros form
Fill in the blank

De pequeños, vosotros siempre _____ peleando por los juguetes. (estar)

As little kids, you all were always fighting over the toys.

Exercise 12 of 14Tag: Background state
Fill in the blank

El cielo _____ gris y parecía que iba a llover. (estar)

The sky was gray and it looked like it was going to rain.

Exercise 13 of 14Tag: Interrupted action
Fill in the blank

Mientras yo _____ en la ducha, alguien tocó la puerta. (estar)

While I was in the shower, someone knocked on the door.

Exercise 14 of 14Tag: Background state
Fill in the blank

Mis papás _____ preocupados porque yo no contestaba el celular. (estar)

My parents were worried because I wasn't answering my phone.

Every answer is explained

Not just a green check. A short paragraph telling you why.

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