aportaba

Aportaba is the imperfect indicative form of the Spanish verb aportar, used to describe an ongoing or habitual contribution in the past. It can indicate that someone was providing resources, information, time, or other input over a period of time, or that background actions supported a situation. In narrative, aportaba helps set the scene by showing what inputs or support were continually present. It contrasts with the preterite aportó, which marks a completed contribution.

Etymology: Aportaba derives from aportar, which comes from Latin aportare, formed from ad- (toward) and portare (to carry). The modern sense of bringing or supplying something toward a goal is preserved in this verb.

Conjugation: Aportar is a regular -ar verb, so its imperfect forms follow a standard pattern: yo aportaba, tú aportabas, él/ella/usted aportaba, nosotros aportábamos, vosotros aportabais, ellos/ellas/ustedes aportaban. The imperfect is commonly used in both spoken and written Spanish to indicate past actions without specifying a definite endpoint.

Usage notes: Aportaba is widely used in everyday speech, journalism, and literature to describe recurring or continuous past contributions. It can take direct objects such as recursos, ideas, pruebas, or experiencia (e.g., aportar recursos, aportar pruebas, aportar su experiencia). It is often contrasted with aportó (preterite) to distinguish ongoing influence from a single past act. In subordinate clauses, related forms such as aportara (subjunctive) or aportaría (conditional) appear.

Examples:

- Durante la campaña, mi equipo aportaba ideas útiles para la estrategia.

- Ella aportaba dinero cada mes para cubrir los gastos del proyecto.