Imperfect Subjunctive or Imperfecto de Subjuntivo

The Imperfect Subjunctive

This tense is used for the same reasons as the Present Subjunctive; for example, after certain verbs, conjugations and expressions. If you can't remember, then please see the Present Subjunctive page.

If the main verb is in the Present Indicative, Future, Present Perfect or the Imperative then you use the Present Subjunctive (this includes the Present Perfect Subjunctive which comes later) but obviously only if the Subjunctive is required!

However, if the main verb is in the Imperfect, Preterit, Conditional or Pluperfect then the Imperfect Subjunctive is used. (This includes the Pluperfect Subjunctive but we will get to that later.) Again, this only happens if you are going to say a sentence that needs the Imperfect Subjunctive!

Here are some more examples of when to use it:

(In itallics is what causes the Subjunctive to be used and in bold is the conjugated verb.)

• "I wanted Fred to do it." "Quería que Fred lo hiciera." Please note that here that in English the Infinitive is used.
• "I talked to him slowly so that he could understand me." "Le hablaba lentamente para que él pudiera comprenderme."

The Imperfect Subjunctive is also used in cases of "fake past" as I like to call it. This is when (in English) you use the Past Tense to say something that didn't actually or might not happen.

For example:

• "If I had the money, I would..." "Si tuviera el dinero..."
• "If I were a child, I would cry." "Si fuera un niño, lloraría."

Please note that in the two previous examples the Conditional would follow, as it always does in the "fake past".

Here is how to form the Imperfect Subjunctive:

That is one of the ways that this tense is formed, but there is another way, see below.

To form the Imperfect Subjunctive, take the 3rd Person Plural of the Preterit and remove the -ron endings, then add the endings as shown above. The only thing to watch out for, is the accent before the endings on the 1st Person Plural of both the endings.

When you read above that there were two ways to form it, your heart sank didn't it? Don't worry, there are no rules to learn about using each one, it's up to you, use one or the other. There are no different meanings, it is just a matter of choice. I, myself, use the first one. However, you have to learn them both to be able to understand someone else!

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