Imperfect Subjunctive
Prerequisite: Present Subjunctive, Preterit (just conjugation)
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 |
tú | 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
Imperfect Subjunctive, Conjugation
Conjugate the verb in parentheses in the imperfect subjunctive.
Tutorial: Imperfect Subjunctive, Use
Imperfect Subjunctive, Use: English to Spanish
Translate the sentences to Spanish.
Imperfect Subjunctive, Use: From Present to Past
Rewrite the sentences in the past tense.