Spanish Imperfect Subjunctive: A Complete Guide

Overview

• The imperfect subjunctive is crucial yet challenging in Spanish.
• Known as the preterite imperfect tense of the subjunctive mood.
• Often used to express a past point of view.
• Understanding it involves a good grasp of the present subjunctive.

Formation

Conjugating Regular Verbs

1. Third Person Plural Preterite Form
   • Example:
     • Hablar → Hablaron
     • Tomar → Tomaron
2. Remove -ron
   • Example:
     • Escucharon → Escucha-_
     • Hablaron → Habla-_
3. Add Imperfect Subjunctive Endings
   • Endings vary by subject pronoun:
     • yo: -ra/-se
     • tú: -ras/-ses
     • él/ella/usted: -ra/-se
     • nosotros: -ramos/-semos
     • vosotros: -rais/-seis
     • ellos/ellas/ustedes: -ran/-sen
   • Example:
     • Comer: Comieron → Comie_ → Yo comiera/comiese
     • Estar: Estuvieron → Estuvie_ → Tú estuvieras/estuvieses

Irregular Verbs

• Ir and Ser conjugated identically.
  • Example: Yo fuera/fuese, Tú fueras/fueses
• Ver
  • Example: Yo viera/viese, Tú vieras/vieses

Usage

1. Past and Present

• Express past actions similar to those needing subjunctive in the present.
  • Example: "Era emocionante que María me leyera el periódico."

2. Expressions of Desire/Wishes or Doubt

A. Wishes

• Often use "ojalá que" ("I wish").
  • Example: "Ojalá que lloviera el miércoles."
  • Can omit "que".

B. Doubt

• Use for expressions of uncertainty.
  • Example: "Dudo que", "No creo que"

3. "Si" (If) Events

• Used for contrary-to-fact situations.
  • Example: "Si trabajara más duro, me promoverían."

4. "Que" (That)

• Used after "que" when the independent clause is in past tense.
  • Example: "Yo quería que él tomara un tequila conmigo."

5. Being Polite

• Used with modal verbs for politeness.
  • Examples: "Quisiera asistir a la fiesta." "Debería ir con ustedes?"

Important Notes

• Do not use subjunctive for positive opinions.
• Subjunctive is used to express doubts or negative opinions.

Practice

• Mastering involves continuous practice.
• Apps like Clozemaster can help.