Download Imperfect Subjunctive

Imperfect
Subjunctive
The imperfect subjunctive is used just like the
present subjunctive:
Noun clauses: If there’s emotion, doubt/denial, es
+ adj. + que, or an indirect command in the
main clause, you need subjunctive in the
dependent clause.
Adjective clauses: If the object being described
doesn’t exist or may not exist, you need
subjunctive in the dependent clause.
Adverb clauses: certain conjunctions require the
subjunctive; time conjunctions require the
subjunctive if the action in the clause hasn’t
occurred yet.
The difference is that you need to use imperfect
subjunctive if you need a past tense:
I doubt that he studies. – “he studies” would be
present subjunctive.
I doubt that he studied. – “he studied” would be
imperfect subjunctive.
Forming the Imperfect Subjunctive
To form the imperfect subjunctive, go to the third person plural
of the preterit:
hablé
hablaste
habló
hablamos
hablasteis
hablaron
comí
comiste
comió
comimos
comisteis
comieron
Drop the –ron and add the following endings (same for –ar, -er,
-ir verbs):
-ra -΄ramos
-ras -rais
-ra -ran
hablara habláramos
hablaras hablarais
hablara hablaran
comiera comiéramos
comieras comierais
comiera comieran
There are no exceptions, no irregularities,
because, without fail, you go to the third person
plural of the preterit, drop the –ron, and add the
imperfect subjunctive endings listed on the
previous page. However, there are lots of
irregulars and stem-changing verbs in the
preterit, such as the following:
fueron
supieron
durmieron
pidieron
leyeron
estuvieron
quisieron
dijeron
How the imperfect subjunctive is used
The past subjunctive is also always used after
the following phrases (and a few other similar
ones), just as with the present subjunctive.
E
S
C
A
P
A
en caso de que
sin que
con tal (de) que
antes (de) que
para que
a menos que
(in case)
(without, unless)
(provided that)
(before)
(so that, in order that)
(unless)
How the imperfect subjunctive is used
The tense of the verb in the main clause normally
determines whether to use the present or
imperfect subjunctive in the subordinate clause.
If the verb in the main clause is in the . . .
present,
future, or
present perfect
the present subjunctive
is used in the
subordinate clause.
How the imperfect subjunctive is used
The tense of the verb in the main clause normally
determines whether to use the present or
imperfect subjunctive in the subordinate clause.
If the verb in the main clause is in the . . .
preterit,
imperfect,
conditional, or
pluperfect
the imperfect subjunctive
is used in the subordinate
clause.
How the imperfect subjunctive is used
If the verb in the main clause is in the . . .
present,
The present subjunctive
future, or
is used in the
present perfect
subordinate clause.
Examples:
Insisto en que Tomás me ayude.
I insist that Tomás help me.
Insistiré en que Tomás me ayude.
I will insist that Tomás help me.
He insistido en que Tomás me ayude.
I have insisted that Tomás help me.
How the imperfect subjunctive is used
If the verb in the main clause is in the . . .
preterit,
The imperfect subjunctive
imperfect,
is used in the subordinate
conditional, or
clause.
pluperfect
Examples:
Insistí en que Tomás me ayudara.
I insisted that Tomás help me.
Insistía en que Tomás me ayudara.
I (always) insisted that Tomás help me.
Insistiría en que Tomás me ayudara.
I would insist that Tomás help me.
Había insistido en que Tomás me ayudara.
I had insisted that Tomás help me.
How the imperfect subjunctive is used
More examples of the imperfect subjunctive:
Notice that the use of the preterit or imperfect in the main
clause calls for the imperfect subjunctive in the
subordinate clause.
Era importante que leyera mi tarea.
It was important for me to read my homework.
La meteoróloga insistió en que todos se
refugiaran de la tempestad.
The meteorologist insisted that everyone take
cover from the storm.
How the imperfect subjunctive is used
More examples of the imperfect subjunctive:
Remember that a written accent is required on the first-person plural
of the imperfect subjunctive forms.
El periodista quería que arregláramos la sala para la
entrevista.
The journalist wanted us to arrange the living room for the
interview.
Era dudoso que contratáramos a aquel comentarista.
It was doubtful that we would hire that commentator.
El gobierno prohibió que pusiéramos esa información
en el artículo.
The government prohibited us from putting that information in
the article.
How the imperfect subjunctive is used
The imperfect subjunctive is required under the same conditions as
the present subjunctive. However, the imperfect subjunctive is
used to refer to events that were incomplete in relation to a past
event. Compare the sentences below to the time line.
Present
Past
Future
dudar
pedir
controlar
haber
El reportero dudaba que controlaran el incendio.
The reporter doubted that they would control the fire.
Los televidentes pidieron que hubiera más programas
serios.
The TV viewers asked for there to be more serious shows.
How the imperfect subjunctive is used
Use the imperfect subjunctive with ojalá when it
means I wish (that).
¡Ojalá (que) el patrocinador seleccionara mi
guión!
I wish the sponsor would choose my script!
¡Ojalá (que) no cancelaran mi serie favorita!
I wish they wouldn’t cancel my favorite series!
How the imperfect subjunctive is used
EXPANSIÓN
More on structure and usage
Peticiones con el imperfecto de subjuntivo
A common use of the imperfect subjunctive is to make polite requests or
statements. In such cases, the forms of the verbs querer, poder, and deber
are used. Note the following examples.
Quisiera leer los anuncios
clasificados.
I would like to read the classified
ads.
¿Pudieras prestarme la sección
deportiva?
Could you lend me the sports section?
Debiéramos ir al concurso.
We should go to the game show.
FIN