desideravo

Desideravo is the first-person singular imperfect indicative form of the Italian verb desiderare, meaning I desired or I was desiring. It is used to describe ongoing or habitual desires in the past or to set a past scene in narration.

Etymology and grammar: The verb desiderare comes from Latin desiderare, linked to desiderium, meaning longing or desire. In Italian it follows the regular conjugation pattern of -are verbs. The imperfect tense uses the endings -avo, -avi, -ava, -avamo, -avavate, -avano, with desideravo corresponding to io (I).

Conjugation pattern: The imperfect forms for desiderare are: io desideravo, tu desideravi, lui/lei desiderava, noi desideravamo, voi desideravate, loro desideravano. This form contrasts with other tenses such as presente desidero or passato prossimo ho desiderato.

Usage and nuance: Desideravo conveys a past or ongoing wish, often serving as background information in narration or describing habitual desires. In everyday speech, speakers may use synonyms like volevo (I wanted) for a simpler past nuance, or avrei voluto (I would have liked) to express a conditional shade of longing.

Examples:

- Desideravo una tazza di tè. (I desired a cup of tea / I was wanting a cup of tea.)

- Desideravo parlare con te, ma era difficile trovare il momento. (I wanted to talk to you, but it was hard to find the moment.)

See also: desiderare, desiderio, verbs of emotion in Italian.