Imperfect Subjunctive
Start first lessonExplanation
The imperfect subjunctive (el imperfecto de subjuntivo) follows many of the same rules as the present subjunctive. Introduced with a preterite, imperfect, conditional, or past perfect WEIRDO verb in the independent clause, the imperfect subjunctive often refers to a previous experience, but can also refer to unlikely events or possibilities.
Check out these examples of the imperfect subjunctive.
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Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
Finding the Imperfect Subjunctive Stem
To conjugate a verb in the imperfect subjunctive, you'll need to know the third person plural (ellos, ellas) preterite form of the verb you're using. Why? Instead of using the infinitive for a stem, the imperfect subjunctive uses the third person plural of the preterite (minus the -ron).
Imperfect Subjunctive Stem Formula
imperfect subjunctive stem = third person plural preterite form minus -ron ending
Imperfect Subjunctive Stem Examples
Here are the imperfect subjunctive stems of some common Spanish verbs.
Imperfect Subjunctive Endings
When conjugating the imperfect subjunctive, you can choose from two different sets of endings. Both are correct, though use of the first set, whose yo ending is -ra, is more widespread.
| Subject | Subjunctive 1 Endings | Subjunctive 2 Endings |
|---|---|---|
| yo | -ra | -se |
| tú | -ras | -ses |
| él, ella, usted | -ra | -se |
| nosotros | -ramos | -semos |
| vosotros | -rais | -seis |
| ellos, ellas, ustedes | -ran | -sen |
Watch out for the accents
Nosotros imperfect subjunctive conjugations have a tilde on the vowel that comes immediately before the subjunctive ending. For example:
- habláramos /hablásemos
- escribiéramos/escribiésemos
Here are three common verbs conjugated in the imperfect subjunctive with each set of endings.
Subjunctive 1
Subjunctive 2
Imperfect Subjunctive Uses
The imperfect subjunctive can be used to talk about past occurrences, current opinions of past events, doubts and wishes, as well as in if clauses and polite requests.
1. Past Occurrences
If the WEIRDO verb in the independent clause is in the preterite or the imperfect, then the subjunctive verb that follows will be imperfect.
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2. Current Opinions of Past Events
The imperfect subjunctive can also be used to express current emotions, doubts, etc. about something that happened in the past.
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3. Doubts and Wishes
It's common to see ojalá or ojalá que used with the imperfect subjunctive to express the idea of hoping for something that is unlikely to happen or is impossible.
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4. If Clauses
When preceded by si (if), the imperfect subjunctive is often used to talk about hypotheticals. Note that the other verb in these constructions is in the conditional.
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5. Relative Clauses
The imperfect subjunctive is used in relative clauses with a non-existent, indefinite, or negated antecedent.
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6. Polite Suggestions and Requests
The imperfect subjunctive can be used to make very polite suggestions or formal requests.
Learn more about the subjunctive with the following articles:
