Imperfect Subjunctive

Master past subjunctive! Learn to express past wishes, hypothetical situations, and polite requests using the imperfect subjunctive.

What Is the Imperfect Subjunctive?

When to Use It

The imperfect subjunctive is used when:

1. Main verb is in the past and requires subjunctive
2. Hypothetical "if" clauses (contrary to fact)
3. Polite requests (more courteous than present)
4. Past wishes, doubts, emotions

Key concept: It's the "past version" of present subjunctive.

Forming the Imperfect Subjunctive

The 3-Step Method

All verbs (regular and irregular) follow this pattern:

Step 1: Take the ellos/ellas form of preterite Step 2: Drop -ron ending Step 3: Add imperfect subjunctive endings

Two Forms: -RA and -SE

Spanish has TWO sets of imperfect subjunctive endings:

-RA endings (most common):

• -ra, -ras, -ra, -ramos, -rais, -ran

-SE endings (more formal/literary):

• -se, -ses, -se, -semos, -seis, -sen

Note: Both are correct! -RA form is more common in spoken Spanish.

Regular Verbs

-AR Verbs: HABLAR

Step 1: Preterite ellos → hablaron Step 2: Drop -ron → habla- Step 3: Add endings

Note: Nosotros form has accent: -áramos, -ásemos

-ER Verbs: COMER

Step 1: Preterite ellos → comieron Step 2: Drop -ron → comie- Step 3: Add endings

-IR Verbs: VIVIR

Step 1: Preterite ellos → vivieron Step 2: Drop -ron → vivie- Step 3: Add endings

Irregular Preterite = Irregular Imperfect Subjunctive

The Key Rule

Since imperfect subjunctive comes from preterite, any irregular preterite becomes irregular imperfect subjunctive.

Common Irregular Verbs

TENER (preterite: tuvieron)

• tuviera, tuvieras, tuviera, tuviéramos, tuvierais, tuvieran

HACER (preterite: hicieron)

• hiciera, hicieras, hiciera, hiciéramos, hicierais, hicieran

PODER (preterite: pudieron)

• pudiera, pudieras, pudiera, pudiéramos, pudierais, pudieran

PONER (preterite: pusieron)

• pusiera, pusieras, pusiera, pusiéramos, pusierais, pusieran

VENIR (preterite: vinieron)

• viniera, vinieras, viniera, viniéramos, vinierais, vinieran

QUERER (preterite: quisieron)

• quisiera, quisieras, quisiera, quisiéramos, quisierais, quisieran

DECIR (preterite: dijeron)

• dijera, dijeras, dijera, dijéramos, dijerais, dijeran

TRAER (preterite: trajeron)

• trajera, trajeras, trajera, trajéramos, trajerais, trajeran

SER/IR (preterite: fueron) - same form!

• fuera, fueras, fuera, fuéramos, fuerais, fueran

ESTAR (preterite: estuvieron)

• estuviera, estuvieras, estuviera, estuviéramos, estuvierais, estuvieran

SABER (preterite: supieron)

• supiera, supieras, supiera, supiéramos, supierais, supieran

DAR (preterite: dieron)

• diera, dieras, diera, diéramos, dierais, dieran

HABER (preterite: hubieron)

• hubiera, hubieras, hubiera, hubiéramos, hubierais, hubieran

Use 1: Past Subjunctive Triggers

Main Verb in Past

When the main verb is in past tense and requires subjunctive, use imperfect subjunctive:

Present trigger:

• Quiero que venga. (I want him to come.)

Past trigger:

• Quería que viniera. (I wanted him to come.)

Examples:

Past Wishes and Emotions

Use 2: Hypothetical Si Clauses

Contrary-to-Fact Conditionals

Pattern: Si + imperfect subjunctive, conditional

Structure:

• Si tuviera dinero, compraría un coche.
• (If I had money, I would buy a car.)
• Reality: I don't have money

Examples:

Important: This is contrary to present reality (not true now).

"If I Were You..."

Si yo fuera tú...

• Si yo fuera tú, estudiaría más. (If I were you, I would study more.)
• Si fueras inteligente, no lo harías. (If you were smart, you wouldn't do it.)

Use 3: Polite Requests

More Courteous Than Present

Using imperfect subjunctive makes requests more polite:

Less polite (present subjunctive):

• Quiero que me ayudes. (I want you to help me.)

More polite (imperfect subjunctive):

• Quisiera que me ayudaras. (I would like you to help me.)

Common Polite Expressions

Note: QUISIERA and PUDIERA are very common for polite requests!

Use 4: Como Si (As If)

Always Imperfect Subjunctive

Como si (as if) ALWAYS requires imperfect subjunctive:

Pattern: Action + como si + imperfect subjunctive

Ojalá with Imperfect Subjunctive

Present vs Past Wishes

OJALÁ + present subjunctive = possible wish (hope)

• Ojalá venga. (I hope he comes. - possible)

OJALÁ + imperfect subjunctive = unlikely/contrary wish

• Ojalá viniera. (I wish he would come. - unlikely)
• Ojalá tuviera dinero. (I wish I had money. - I don't)
• Ojalá fuera rico. (I wish I were rich. - I'm not)

Present vs Imperfect Subjunctive

When to Use Each

Use PRESENT subjunctive when:

• Main verb is present/future
• Talking about present/future situation
• Example: Quiero que vengas. (I want you to come.)

Use IMPERFECT subjunctive when:

• Main verb is past
• Hypothetical/contrary to fact (si clauses)
• Polite requests
• After como si
• Example: Quería que vinieras. (I wanted you to come.)

Practical Dialogues

Dialogue 1: Expressing Past Wishes

English: A: Did María come to the party? B: No, she couldn't. I'm sorry she didn't come. A: I wanted her to come. I invited her. B: She told me she hoped you would understand. A: Of course. It's just that I wanted everyone to be there. B: I know. She also wanted to come.

Spanish: A: ¿Vino María a la fiesta? B: No, no pudo. Lamento que no viniera. A: Quería que viniera. La invité. B: Me dijo que esperaba que entendieras. A: Por supuesto. Es solo que quería que todos estuvieran. B: Lo sé. Ella también quería venir.

Dialogue 2: Hypothetical Situations

English: A: If you had a million dollars, what would you do? B: If I had that much money, I would travel the world. A: Where would you go? B: I would go to Japan, Italy, and Spain. A: If I were rich, I would buy a house on the beach. B: That sounds wonderful. If I could, I would go with you.

Spanish: A: Si tuvieras un millón de dólares, ¿qué harías? B: Si tuviera tanto dinero, viajaría por el mundo. A: ¿Adónde irías? B: Iría a Japón, Italia y España. A: Si fuera rico, compraría una casa en la playa. B: Suena maravilloso. Si pudiera, iría contigo.

Dialogue 3: Polite Requests

English: A: Excuse me, could you help me? B: Of course. What do you need? A: I would like you to explain this to me. B: I would be happy to. What don't you understand? A: This part here. If you could explain it, I would appreciate it. B: No problem. Look, if you did it this way, it would be easier. A: Ah, I understand now. Thank you very much!

Spanish: A: Disculpe, ¿pudiera ayudarme? B: Por supuesto. ¿Qué necesita? A: Quisiera que me explicara esto. B: Con gusto. ¿Qué no entiende? A: Esta parte aquí. Si pudiera explicármelo, se lo agradecería. B: Sin problema. Mire, si lo hiciera así, sería más fácil. A: Ah, ahora entiendo. ¡Muchas gracias!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Mistake 1: Using present subjunctive after past main verb

• Wrong: Quería que venga.
• Right: Quería que viniera.
• Past trigger needs imperfect subjunctive!

❌ Mistake 2: Using indicative in si clauses

• Wrong: Si tengo dinero, compraría...
• Right: Si tuviera dinero, compraría...
• Hypothetical needs imperfect subjunctive!

❌ Mistake 3: Forgetting irregular preterite stems

• Wrong: Si quera (doesn't exist)
• Right: Si quisiera (from querer → quisieron)
• Use preterite stem!

❌ Mistake 4: Wrong form with COMO SI

• Wrong: Habla como si sabe todo.
• Right: Habla como si supiera todo.
• Como si always needs imperfect subjunctive!

❌ Mistake 5: Forgetting accent on nosotros

• Wrong: hablaramos
• Right: habláramos
• Need accent!

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Form Imperfect Subjunctive

From preterite ellos form:

1. hablaron → yo _____
2. comieron → tú _____
3. vivieron → él _____
4. fueron → nosotros _____
5. tuvieron → ellos _____

Exercise 2: Past Wishes

Change to past:

1. Quiero que vengas. → Quería que _____
2. Espero que estudies. → Esperaba que _____
3. Dudo que sepa. → Dudaba que _____

Exercise 3: Hypothetical Si Clauses

Complete:

1. Si (tener) _____ tiempo, iría.
2. Si (ser) _____ rico, viajaría.
3. Si (poder) _____ ayudarte, lo haría.
4. Si (estudiar) _____ más, aprobarías.

Exercise 4: Como Si

Complete:

1. Habla como si (saber) _____ todo.
2. Actúa como si (ser) _____ el jefe.
3. Gasta como si (tener) _____ dinero.

Exercise 5: Translate

Use imperfect subjunctive:

1. I wanted you to come.
2. If I had money, I would travel.
3. I would like to speak with you.
4. He acts as if he were rich.
5. I hoped you would call.

Answer Key

Exercise 1

1. hablara (habla- + -ra)
2. comieras (comie- + -ras)
3. viviera (vivie- + -ra)
4. fuéramos (fue- + -ramos, with accent)
5. tuvieran (tuvie- + -ran)

Exercise 2

1. Quería que vinieras.
2. Esperaba que estudiaras.
3. Dudaba que supiera.

Exercise 3

1. tuviera (hypothetical)
2. fuera (hypothetical)
3. pudiera (hypothetical)
4. estudiaras (hypothetical)

Exercise 4

1. supiera (como si + imperfect subjunctive)
2. fuera (como si + imperfect subjunctive)
3. tuviera (como si + imperfect subjunctive)

Exercise 5

1. Quería que vinieras.
2. Si tuviera dinero, viajaría.
3. Quisiera hablar contigo.
4. Actúa como si fuera rico.
5. Esperaba que llamaras.

Quick Reference: Imperfect Subjunctive

Formation

1. Preterite ellos form
2. Drop -ron
3. Add -ra/-se endings

Main Uses

• Past subjunctive triggers
• Hypothetical si clauses
• Polite requests (quisiera, pudiera)
• Como si (as if)

Key Pattern

Si + imperfect subjunctive, conditional

Pro Tips

💡 Tip 1: From Preterite All imperfect subjunctive from preterite Know preterite = know imperfect subjunctive Same irregulars!

💡 Tip 2: -RA More Common Both -ra and -se correct -RA form more common Use -ra in speech!

💡 Tip 3: Si Clauses Hypothetical = imperfect subjunctive

• conditional in main clause Classic pattern!

💡 Tip 4: Polite QUISIERA "Quisiera..." = "I would like..." Very polite Use constantly!

💡 Tip 5: COMO SI Rule Como si ALWAYS imperfect subjunctive No exceptions Easy to remember!

Cultural Notes

📚 Literary Form: The -se form is more common in literature and formal writing, while -ra is preferred in conversation across all Spanish-speaking regions.

🗣️ Politeness: Using quisiera and pudiera for requests is essential for polite communication in Spanish. It's much more courteous than the present forms.

🌍 Regional Variations: The imperfect subjunctive is used consistently across all Spanish-speaking countries. The -ra form dominates in spoken Spanish everywhere.

💭 Hypotheticals: Spanish speakers use si clauses frequently to discuss hypothetical situations, making the imperfect subjunctive essential for nuanced conversation.

Next Steps

After mastering imperfect subjunctive:

1. ✅ Learn pluperfect subjunctive
2. ✅ Study sequence of tenses
3. ✅ Master conditional perfect with si clauses
4. ✅ Practice subjunctive in adverbial clauses
5. ✅ Learn subjunctive in relative clauses

4-Week Action Plan

Week 1: Formation

• Day 1-2: Regular verb patterns
• Day 3-4: Irregular preterite stems
• Day 5-7: All conjugations

Week 2: Past Triggers

• Day 1-3: Past wishes and doubts
• Day 4-5: Past emotions
• Day 6-7: All WEIRDO in past

Week 3: Hypotheticals

• Day 1-3: Si clauses (contrary to fact)
• Day 4-5: Como si expressions
• Day 6-7: Ojalá with imperfect

Week 4: Integration

• Day 1-3: Polite requests
• Day 4-5: Mixed uses
• Day 6-7: Natural conversations

Remember: Imperfect subjunctive comes from preterite! Take preterite ellos form, drop -ron, add -ra endings (or -se). Any irregular preterite becomes irregular imperfect subjunctive (tuvieron→tuviera, fueron→fuera, etc.). Use it when: 1) main verb is past and triggers subjunctive (Quería que vinieras), 2) hypothetical si clauses contrary to fact (Si tuviera dinero...), 3) polite requests (Quisiera..., Pudiera...), 4) after como si (as if). Pattern: Si + imperfect subjunctive, conditional. Accent on nosotros form: habláramos, comiéramos. Master this for true intermediate fluency!