Imperfect Subjunctive

Prerequisite: Present Subjunctive, Preterit (just conjugation)

Overview

Formation

root = 3rd person plural of preterit – RON

e.g. cantar, cantaron –> canta-
e.g. tener, tuvieron –> tuvie-

cantar tener
yo cantara / cantase tuviera / tuviese
cantaras / cantases tuvieras / tuvieses
usted, él, ella cantara / cantase tuviera / tuviese
nosotros cantáramos / cantásemos tuviéramos / tuviésemos
vosotros cantarais / cantasais tuvierais / tuvieseis
ustedes, ellos, ellas cantaran / cantasen tuvieran / tuviesen

Use

1. Use for the same reasons as present subjunctive, but with different time frame.

2. Use when comment or relative clause is in in the past.

e.g. Quería que me ayudaras.
e.g. Buscaba un libro que fuera interesante.

3. When comment is in conditional.

e.g. Me gustaría que me ayudaras.

4. In present hypothetical if sentences. (Explained fully in video on if sentences.)

e.g. Si tuviera más dinero, compraría una casa.

Tutorial: Imperfect Subjunctive, Conjugation

Practice Quiz: Imperfect Subjunctive, Conjugation

Imperfect Subjunctive, Conjugation

Conjugate the verb in parentheses in the imperfect subjunctive.

Tutorial: Imperfect Subjunctive, Use

Practice Quiz: Imperfect Subjunctive, Use, Exercise 1

Imperfect Subjunctive, Use: English to Spanish

Translate the sentences to Spanish.

Practice Quiz: Imperfect Subjunctive, Use, Exercise 2

Imperfect Subjunctive, Use: From Present to Past

Rewrite the sentences in the past tense.