señalaba

Señalaba is the imperfect indicative form of the Spanish verb señalar, meaning to point out, indicate, or designate. It is used to describe past actions that were habitual or ongoing, or to set a scene in narrative when pointing out something over a period of time. It can also express that something used to indicate or reveal another fact, without denoting a completed event.

As a verb, señalar is transitive and takes a direct object in many cases (for example, señales u objetos, ideas, or places). In the imperfect, señalaba can refer to repeated past actions or to a continuous past moment: "El guía señalaba los monumentos más importantes" (The guide was pointing out the most important monuments). It can also convey the sense of highlighting or flagging information in a report or statement: "El informe señalaba varias inconsistencias" (The report pointed out several inconsistencies).

Etymologically, señalar derives from seña, meaning sign or signal, which in turn comes from Latin signum. The verb form señales a broad range of meanings related to marking, indicating, or designating something.

Forms and related usages: señalaba corresponds to yo señalaba, tú señalabas, él/ella/usted señalaba, nosotros señalábamos, vosotros señalabais, ellos señalaban in the imperfect. While imperfect señalaba emphasizes past duration or repetition, the aoristic preterite señaló would emphasize a completed past action.

In usage, señalaba can carry literal or figurative senses: pointing with a finger or a tool, indicating locations, or drawing attention to issues, rules, or features. It is commonly replaced by sin embargo or indicar in some contexts, depending on nuance and register.