Imperfect Subjunctive

Uses of the Imperfect Subjunctive

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To indicate an action in the past in same situations where the subjunctive would be used in the present.

• Era interesante que Sara me leyera las noticias. 

• It was interesting that Sara would read the news to me.

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After the expression ojalá, or ojalá que.

• Ojalá que nevara mañana.

• I hope that it would snow tomorrow

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In 'si' clauses to indicate contrary-to-fact or unlikely events​​​.

• Iría a los estados unidos si tuviera suficiente dinero.

• I would go the United States if I had enough money.

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When the verb in the main clause is in one of the past tenses or in the conditional, the imperfect subjunctive is used in the dependent clause​.

• Querría que mi amiga me llamara durante su viaje.

• I would like my friend to call me during her trip.

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When the verb in the main clause is in the present but it refers to a previous occurrence​.

• Dudo que vinieran juntos.

• I doubt they arrived together.

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To indicate politeness.

• Quisiera asistir a la reunión.

• I would like to attend the meeting.

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Two Forms of the Imperfect Subjunctive

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• -A form

• -SE form

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-A Form:

1. Take the third person plural of the preterite form of any -ar, -er and -ir verbs.

2. Drop the -on ending to find the stem.

3. Add the following endings to that stem:

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Cantar - cantara, cantaras, cantara, cantáramos, cantarais, cantaran

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-SE Form:

1. Take the third person plural of the preterite form of any -ar, -er and -ir verbs.

2. Drop the -ron ending to find the stem.

3. Add the following endings to that stem:

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Cantar - cantase, cantases, cantase, cantásemos, cantaseis, cantasen

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Stem-Changing Verbs

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Only -IR verbs change stem in the preterite in both the third person singular and plural. This therefore affects the spelling of these verbs in the imperfect subjunctive.

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e-ie verbs:

• E changes to I in the third person plural of the preterite.

• If there are two e's in the stem, it is the second e that changes.

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Preferir - to prefer

3rd person plural - prefirieron

Stem - prefirier-

prefiriera, prefirieras, prefiriera, prefiriéramos, prefirierais, prefirieran

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e-i verbs:

• E changes to I.

• If there are two es in the stem, it is the second e that changes.

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Repetir - to repeat

3rd person plural - repitieron

Stem - repitier-

repitiera, repitieras, repitiera, repitiéramos, repitierais, repitieran

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o-u verbs:

• O changes to U.

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Dormir - to sleep

3rd person plural - durmieron

Stem - durmier-

durmiera, durmieras, durmiera, durmiéramos, durmierais, durmieran