The imperfect subjunctive el imperfecto de subjuntivo follows many of the same rules as the present subjunctive. Introduced with a preterite, imperfect, conditional, or past perfect WEIRDO verb in the independent clause, the imperfect subjunctive often refers to a previous experience, but can also refer to unlikely events or possibilities. To conjugate a verb in the imperfect subjunctive, you'll need to know the third person plural ellos, ellas preterite form of the verb you're using.
Instead of using the infinitive for a stem, the imperfect subjunctive uses the third person plural of the preterite minus the -ron. Whatever the third person preterite from of a verb is, whether regular or irregular, becomes the base for the imperfect subjunctive stem. When conjugating the imperfect subjunctive, you can choose from two different sets of endings. Both are correct, though use of the first set, whose yo ending is -ra , is more widespread.
Nosotros imperfect subjunctive conjugations have a tilde on the vowel that comes immediately before the subjunctive ending. For example:. The imperfect subjunctive can be used to talk about past occurrences, current opinions of past events, doubts and wishes, as well as in if clauses and polite requests.
You can use the past perfect in the subjunctive in the same way as in the indicative past perfect by conjugating the verb haber and adding the past participle - ado , — ido form.
It may seem a bit odd, but we can also use the imperfect subjunctive after como si to talk about the present. If it makes you feel any better, we also often use our disappearing English subjunctive in this context. Baila contigo como si ya fuera tu amante. And finally, a clause in the imperfect subjunctive can be coupled with a clause in the conditional to talk about fantastic, unlikely situations not necessarily past. This also seems a bit weird until you realize that we follow exactly the same pattern in English.
The above section should give you the main idea and major examples of when the imperfect subjunctive comes into play. Here are some more common trigger verbs whose use in the main clause in either the past or the present will trigger the imperfect subjunctive in the secondary clause:. The full lyrics are here. Keep in mind that you need to use the imperfect subjunctive. Try writing it down and then continue to scroll down for the answer.
Try writing down your answer so that you can compare it with the answer below. Trust me, write your answers down. All of these expressions contain one of the following Spanish modal verbs: querer want , poder can , deber should , parecer seem.
It seems to be that you are enjoying your vacations. Click here to read our comprehensive guide to all Spanish tenses! The key to mastering the imperfect subjunctive in Spanish, like any other grammatical topic, is lots of practice. Using an app like Clozemaster is perfect since it allows you to see and practice conjugating Spanish verbs in context. You can quiz yourself on the example sentences used in this article right here on the page.
Congratulations on getting through the entire guide on how to use the imperfect subjunctive tense in Spanish. We hope that you now have a better understanding of what the imperfect subjunctive is, how to use it, and most importantly, when to use it!
Make sure you keep practicing the imperfect subjunctive so that you can get better at using this tense when it is necessary. If you get confused, you can always use this page as a reference. Check out Clozemaster to learn and practice the imperfect subjunctive as well as learn thousands of other Spanish words in context!
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Skip to content The imperfect subjunctive in Spanish might be one of the most challenging tenses to understand and put into practice. What is the Spanish Imperfect Subjunctive? Quisiera dos libros, por favor. Take the verbs hablar and tomar as an example. Ellos hablar toda la noche. Ellas tomar una cerveza antes de bailar. Ellos tener mucho dinero. Do it step by step and slowly you will get the hang of it. Past and Present The imperfect subjunctive is used when you are indicating an action in the past in the same situation where the subjunctive would be required in the present.
This translates to: It is exciting when Maria reads the newspaper to me. This now translates to: It was exciting that Maria would read the news to me. Which means: I hope it rains on Wednesday. And then you change the verb into imperfect subjunctive. Stem-changing verbs: e:i Estar, Ir, Dar Acabar de Volver a Ordinal Numbers Months, Seasons, and Dates Comparisons of Inequality Comparisons of Equality Superlatives Unit Four Pronouns as Objects of Prepositions Object Pronouns I Object Pronouns II Object Pronouns III Verbs Like Gustar Present Progressive Verbs with Irregular 1st Persons Unit Five Numbers: Telling Time Por and Para Comparatives Demonstratives Time Expressions With Hacer Possessive Pronouns Reflexive Verbs I Reflexive Verbs II Preterite I Imperfect I Preterite II
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