The Imperfect Subjunctive can look a little scary but in reality it’s great because there are no irregulars! Once you learn the rule and the endings you have it. However, your quick understanding of the Imperfect Subjunctive does rely on you having a good knowledge of the Past Preterite Tense for both regular and irregular verbs. This is because we use the majority of the verb in the Past Preterite Tense as a stem for the Imperfect Subjunctive.
What the?!
So, it’s called the IMPERFECT SUBJUNTIVE, yet we use the Preterite formation as a starting block?
Yes!
Before getting into how to form the Imperfect Subjunctive, it’s important to know when to use the Imperfect Subjunctive. If you need a refresher on the difference between the Indicative and the Subjunctive moods, then take a look at Indicative VS Subjunctive. If you are pretty confident when choosing when to use the Present Subjunctive there’s one more thing to keep in mind before you learn the formation of the Imperfect Subjunctive…
There are extra triggers when using the Imperfect Subjunctive!
Triggers that are specifically used for the Imperfect subjunctive:
When it comes to the subjunctive triggers you might want to refresh your memory by reading Indicative VS Subjunctive but it’s useful to have a look at the triggers that are specifically used for the Imperfect Subjunctive.
Firstly: All the typical triggers that provoke the Present Subjunctive will also trigger the Imperfect Subjunctive when the trigger is in the past tense or if you are referring to the past tense.
For example: No creer que (To not believe that…)
I don’t believe that he goes to France every year. = No creo que vaya a Francia cada año. (Present trigger = You need the present subjunctive)
I don’t believe that he went to France every year. = No creo que fuera a Francia cada año. (Present trigger but reference to the past = you need the Imperfect Subjunctive)
I didn’t believe that he went to France every year. = No creí que fuera a Francia cada año. (Past trigger = you need the Imperfect Subjunctive)
The same would apply when using any other subjunctive triggers. You just need to keep an eye on whether you are using the trigger in the past tense (I.e. I doubted that, I demanded that, I recommended that, I was happy that, I didn’t say that) or at least referring to the past tense (I.e. I doubt that he said that, I’m happy that she came, I’m not saying that she lied.)
More triggers for the Imperfect subjunctive
In addition to the triggers above, there are some extras for the Imperfect Subjunctive. Take a look below:
| Ojalá (If only) | Ojalá roughly translates to ‘if only‘ and although you will see it used with the Present Subjunctive tense, it is mainly used with the Imperfect Subjunctive. When used with the Imperfect Subjunctive, it tends to refer to impossible or very unlikely situations. For example: If only my cat hadn’t died. (Ojalá mi gato no hubiera muerto.) If only I’d win the lottery. (Ojalá ganara el loto) If only they could do the test again. (Ojalá pudieran hacer la prueba otra vez) |
| Si (if) | When you see or use ‘si‘ it doesn’t mean that you always need to use the Imperfect Subjunctive. We use the word ‘if‘ all the time and don’t need the subjunctive. However, when using it in a hypothetical situation, alongside the Conditional Tense (I would…), you need the Imperfect Subjunctive. The verb that comes directly after the ‘si‘ needs to be in the Imperfect Subjunctive, and the second clause (part of the sentence) goes in the Conditional Tense. If I had the time, I would help. (Si tuviera el tiempo, ayudaría.) We would go, if we were in school. (Iríamos, si estuviéramos en el colegio.) If they could, they would visit more. (Si pudieran, visitarían más.) |
| Pudiera (Would I be able to) Quisiera (I would like to) | When we want to be extra polite we use the Imperfect Subjunctive with ‘poder‘ and ‘querer‘. There’s no need for a nice polite ‘please’ at the end because the use of the Imperfect Subjunctive will carry across the politeness. Take a look at the examples below to try and get and idea of how they would come across: ¿Pudiera reservar una mesa?- Please could I/ Would I be able to/ May I book a table? Quisiera otra.- (I would really like another, please) |
How to form the Imperfect Subjunctive
To form the Imperfect Subjunctive:
- First, you take the ‘they‘ form (3rd person plural) of the Preterite form.
- Then, you remove the ‘-ron‘.
- Finally you add the new ending.
Here are some verbs as examples, but remember, this is the rule for all verbs! Whether it’s a regular or irregular verb in the Preterite Tense, it will be the same rule.
| Infinitive | Third Person Plural Preterite Form | Imperfect Subjunctive Stem |
| hablar | hablaron | habla- |
| comer | comieron | comie- |
| vivir | vivieron | vivie- |
| estar | estuvieron | estuvie- |
| haber | hubieron | hubie- |
| hacer | hicieron | hicie- |
| ir | fueron | fue- |
| querer | quisieron | quisie- |
| tener | tuvieron | tuvie- |
| pedir | pidieron | pidie- |
| poder | pudieron | pudie- |
| poner | pusieron | pusie- |
So what are the Imperfect Subjunctive endings?
Strangely, there are two options for the Imperfect Subjunctive ending. Neither is more used than the other and you tend to find that people use whatever their teacher used, but it’s totally up to you!
So here are your two options:
| Subject | Subjunctive Endings- Option 1 | Subjunctive Endings- Option 2 |
| yo | –ra | –se |
| tú | –ras | –ses |
| él/ella/usted | –ra | –se |
| nosotros | –ramos | –semos |
| vosotros | –rais | –seis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | –ran | –sen |
Personally, I prefer the first set of endings (-ra/-ras etc.) because when I’m removing the ‘ron’ from the preterite form I already have the ‘r’ on the tip of my tongue. However, it is totally up to you which you use.
Let’s look at this conjugation in action with a few verbs:
| Subject | Hablar | Hablar | Comer | Comer | Hacer | Hacer |
| yo | hablara | hablase | comiera | comiese | hiciera | hiciese |
| tú | hablaras | hablases | comieras | comieses | hicieras | hicieses |
| él/ella/usted | hablara | hablase | comiera | comiese | hiciera | hiciese |
| nosotros* | habláramos | hablásemos | comiéramos | comiésemos | hiciéramos | hiciésemos |
| vosotros | hablarais | hablaseis | comierais | comieseis | hicierais | hicieseis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | hablaran | hablasen | comieran | comiesen | hicieran | hiciesen |
You’ll notice that whether the verb is irregular or not in the Preterite Tense, it will still follow the same rule of:
- First, you take the ‘they‘ form (3rd person plural) of the Preterite form.
- Then, you remove the ‘-ron‘.
- Finally you add the new ending.
Here are some examples in sentences:
- No creo que él hiciera / hiciese sus deberes.= I don’t think that he did his homework.
- Mi mamá dudó que ellos fueran / fuesen de vacaciones de verdad.= My mum doubted that they really went on holiday.
- Ojalá pudiera / pudiese ir contigo. = If only/ I wish I could go with you.
Why not have a go at some interactive practice activities here:
When all is said and done…
The Subjunctive is a tricky ‘mood’ to master, there’s no hiding that. However, my advice is don’t be scared to have a go. You will definitely make mistakes but you’ll still be understood. With practice it will get easier and in time you’ll become more confident.
My ultimate advice is… don’t rush to learn the subjunctive. Take your time… dip in and out. Learn a bit, practise it among all the other Spanish you know and then learn a bit more. Otherwise you will become overwhelmed and simply not enjoy the journey.
And last but certainly not least… don’t forget to keep going back and revising the Indicative (non subjunctive) tenses that you know so well. If you don’t you will begin to mix them up and undo a lot of what you have already learnt and mastered.
It is totally normal to make mistakes in what you already know well, once you introduce new learning. Mainly because you will become a little less focused on what you already know well and secondly because you are adding another element to the mix. Don’t worry or get frustrated when you make those mistakes. However, do go back and refresh your memory periodically, as learning a language is not like riding a bike… if you don’t practise for a very long time, you will lose the skills you have built up.
My philosophy when learning a language is like learning to drive… we often take two steps forward and one step back, when we introduce a new element. That is the process we all have to go though but we will make continuous progress and in time we pass and become confident road users on the route to language proficiency!
Mastering the Subjunctive requires time, patience and lots of practice. So, for plenty of help, head to Simple Spanish Tips and keep working on my interactive practice activities.
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