Preparaban

Preparaban is the imperfect indicative form of the Spanish verb preparar, used in the third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes). It describes an action that was ongoing, habitual, or not completed at a point in the past, as well as background actions in narratives.

Etymology: Preparar comes from the Latin praeparare, formed from prae- meaning before and parare meaning to prepare. The imperfect form preparaban reflects standard verb conjugation patterns for -ar verbs in the imperfect tense.

Usage and meaning: In contrast to the preterite form prepararon, which signals a completed past action, preparaban emphasizes process, repetition, or simultaneity with another past event. It is commonly used with time expressions or conjunctions that set a scene, such as mientras, cuando era niño, or habitually in the past. It can also express an intention or plan that was developing over time, for example, preparing for an event or task.

Examples:

- Ellos preparaban la cena cuando llegaron los invitados. (They were preparing dinner when the guests arrived.)

- Cada verano preparaban el jardín para la cosecha. (Every summer they would prepare the garden for harvest.)

- Los maestros preparaban materiales didácticos para la clase. (The teachers were preparing teaching materials for the class.)

See also: Spanish verb tenses, imperfect versus preterite, conjugation of regular -ar verbs.

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