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 hablamoscomí comimos hablaste hablasteiscomiste comisteis habló hablaroncomió comieron Drop the –ron and add the following endings (same for –ar, -er, -ir verbs): -ra -΄ramos hablara habláramos comiera comiéramos -ras -rais hablaras hablarais comieras comierais -ra -ran hablara hablaran 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: fueronleyeron supieronestuvieron durmieronquisieron pidierondijeron

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 past subjunctive is also always used after the following phrases (and a few other similar ones), just as with the present subjunctive.

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.

preterit, imperfect, conditional, or the imperfect subjunctive is used in the subordinate clause. pluperfect 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. Insisto en que Tomás me ayude. Insistiré en que Tomás me ayude. He insistido en que Tomás me ayude. How the imperfect subjunctive is used Examples: I insist that Tomás help me. I will insist that Tomás help me. I have insisted that Tomás help me.

preterit, imperfect, conditional, or The imperfect subjunctive is used in the subordinate clause. pluperfect Insistí en que Tomás me ayudara. Insistía en que Tomás me ayudara. Insistiría en que Tomás me ayudara. Había insistido en que Tomás me ayudara. How the imperfect subjunctive is used If the verb in the main clause is in the... Examples: I insisted that Tomás help me. I (always) insisted that Tomás help me. I would insist that Tomás help me. I had insisted that Tomás help me.

Era importante que leyera mi tarea. La meteoróloga insistió en que todos se refugiaran de la tempestad. How the imperfect subjunctive is used More examples of the imperfect subjunctive: It was important for me to read my homework. The meteorologist insisted that everyone take cover from the storm. Notice that the use of the preterit or imperfect in the main clause calls for the imperfect subjunctive in the subordinate clause.

El periodista quería que arregláramos la sala para la entrevista. Era dudoso que contratáramos a aquel comentarista. How the imperfect subjunctive is used More examples of the imperfect subjunctive: The journalist wanted us to arrange the living room for the interview. It was doubtful that we would hire that commentator. Remember that a written accent is required on the first-person plural of the imperfect subjunctive forms. El gobierno prohibió que pusiéramos esa información en el artículo. The government prohibited us from putting that information in the article.

El reportero dudaba que controlaran el incendio. Los televidentes pidieron que hubiera más programas serios. 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. The reporter doubted that they would control the fire. The TV viewers asked for there to be more serious shows. Past Future Present dudar pedir controlar haber

¡Ojalá (que) el patrocinador seleccionara mi guión! ¡Ojalá (que) no cancelaran mi serie favorita! How the imperfect subjunctive is used Use the imperfect subjunctive with ojalá when it means I wish (that). I wish the sponsor would choose my script! I wish they wouldn’t cancel my favorite series!

EXPANSIÓN More on structure and usage Quisiera leer los anuncios clasificados. ¿Pudieras prestarme la sección deportiva? How the imperfect subjunctive is used Peticiones con el imperfecto de subjuntivo I would like to read the classified ads. Could you lend me the sports section? 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. Debiéramos ir al concurso.We should go to the game show.

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