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Pensar Imperfect Practice

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

14 exercisesStem-changing e→ieA1 – A2 level
IWhat to watch for

The imperfect is where pensar feels effortless: like every regular -ar verb it takes -aba endings, giving pensaba, pensabas, pensaba, pensábamos, pensabais and pensaban. There is no e→ie stem change at all, and the only accent lands on pensábamos.

This tense is perfect for the meaning of pensar: past opinions you used to hold, plans you kept mulling over, and thoughts running in the background. Markers like siempre, antes, cuando and mientras signal these ongoing or habitual past thoughts.

IIConjugation
pensarImperfect
yo
pensaba
pensabas
él / ella / usted
pensaba
nosotros
pensábamos
vosotros
pensabais
ellos / ustedes
pensaban
e→ie in the present (pienso) and subjunctive; fully regular preterite, imperfect, and future.
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 era niña, siempre _____ que sería astronauta. (pensar)

When I was a girl, I always thought I would be an astronaut.

Exercise 02 of 14Tag: Past opinion
Fill in the blank

Antes _____ que aprender alemán era imposible, ¿verdad? (pensar)

Before, you thought learning German was impossible, right?

Exercise 03 of 14Tag: Recurring plan
Fill in the blank

Mi tío siempre _____ en jubilarse temprano y viajar por el mundo. (pensar)

My uncle always thought about retiring early and traveling the world.

Exercise 04 of 14Tag: Nosotros form
Fill in the blank

De jóvenes, mi esposa y yo _____ igual sobre el dinero. (pensar)

When we were young, my wife and I thought the same way about money.

Exercise 05 of 14Tag: Past opinion
Fill in the blank

Mis padres siempre _____ que yo estudiaba poco. (pensar)

My parents always thought I studied too little.

Exercise 06 of 14Tag: Background thought
Fill in the blank

Mientras caminaba a casa, _____ en todo lo que me habías dicho. (pensar)

While I was walking home, I was thinking about everything you had told me.

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

Cuando eras adolescente, _____ que las reglas no tenían sentido. (pensar)

When you were a teenager, you thought the rules made no sense.

Exercise 08 of 14Tag: Recurring plan
Fill in the blank

Antes mi jefe _____ en abrir una sucursal en el extranjero. (pensar)

Before, my boss thought about opening a branch abroad.

Exercise 09 of 14Tag: Nosotros form
Fill in the blank

En aquella época nosotros _____ mudarnos al campo algún día. (pensar)

Back in those days we were thinking about moving to the countryside someday.

Exercise 10 of 14Tag: Background thought
Fill in the blank

Mientras discutían, los dos _____ cosas muy distintas. (pensar)

While they argued, the two of them were thinking very different things.

Exercise 11 of 14Tag: Habitual past
Fill in the blank

De pequeño _____ que los adultos nunca se equivocaban. (pensar)

As a kid I thought adults never made mistakes.

Exercise 12 of 14Tag: Habitual past
Fill in the blank

Siempre _____ en los demás antes que en ti misma. (pensar)

You always thought about others before yourself.

Exercise 13 of 14Tag: Background thought
Fill in the blank

Cuando vivía sola, mi hermana _____ mucho en volver a casa. (pensar)

When she lived alone, my sister often thought about coming back home.

Exercise 14 of 14Tag: Past opinion
Fill in the blank

Antes los médicos _____ que el descanso curaba casi todo. (pensar)

In the past, doctors thought rest cured almost everything.

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