When to use it
- Wishes and reactions from a past viewpoint
- Hypothetical conditions
- Polite distancing
- Later actions after a past request
Pretérito imperfecto de subjuntivo
Spanish Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation Guide
Use the Spanish imperfect subjunctive after past or conditional triggers and in hypothetical present or future conditions.
Quick summary
This spanish imperfect subjunctive conjugation reference connects meaning to forms. Use the Spanish imperfect subjunctive after past or conditional triggers and in hypothetical present or future conditions. Take the ellos preterite, remove -ron, and add the -ra endings. The standard -se series is an alternative with the same basic tense value.
How to form it
Take the ellos preterite, remove -ron, and add the -ra endings. The standard -se series is an alternative with the same basic tense value.
Spanish Imperfect Subjunctive examples
Quería que vinieras.
I wanted you to come.
Si tuviera tiempo, viajaría.
If I had time, I would travel.
Le pedí que esperara.
I asked him to wait.
Regular spanish imperfect subjunctive conjugations
Compare a model -ar, -er, and -ir verb. The bold portion is the complete conjugated form.
Practise this tense with common verbs
Open custom verb practiceCommon spanish imperfect subjunctive mistakes
Incorrect: Quería que vienes.
Correct: Quería que vinieras.
A later action viewed from a past wish normally uses the imperfect subjunctive.
Related Spanish tense guides
Spanish Present SubjunctiveUse the Spanish present subjunctive when a clause is framed through wishes, influence, emotion, doubt, evaluation, or a pending future event.Spanish Past Perfect SubjunctiveUse the Spanish past perfect subjunctive for an earlier completed action under a past trigger and for unreal past conditions.Spanish Conditional TenseUse the Spanish conditional for hypothetical results, future events viewed from the past, polite requests, advice, and probability about the past.
Spanish Imperfect Subjunctive FAQ
What is the spanish imperfect subjunctive?
Use the Spanish imperfect subjunctive after past or conditional triggers and in hypothetical present or future conditions.
How do you form the spanish imperfect subjunctive?
Take the ellos preterite, remove -ron, and add the -ra endings. The standard -se series is an alternative with the same basic tense value.
When should I use the spanish imperfect subjunctive?
Use it for wishes and reactions from a past viewpoint, hypothetical conditions, polite distancing, later actions after a past request.
How can I practise the spanish imperfect subjunctive?
Use one tense with several common verbs, answer from memory, review corrections, and return when the saved forms become due.