14.1: Imperfect subjunctive Flashcards
In the last three chapters, you learned to use the present subjunctive. When using the present subjunctive, the verb in the main clause is in the present tense and the verb in the dependent clause is in the present subjunctive.
MAIN CLAUSE DEPENDENT CLAUSE
Espero que Clara se recupere pronto.
Es una lástima que tenga un resfriado.
When the verb in the main clause is in the past (preterite or imperfect), the verb in the dependent clause must be in the imperfect subjunctive.
MAIN CLAUSE DEPENDENT CLAUSE
El médico le recomendó que tomara unas pastillas.
Era necesario que usara muletas.
The imperfect subjunctive is formed using the third person plural (ellos, ellas, ustedes) of the preterite. Eliminate the -on and add the endings as indicated. The endings are the same, regardless of whether the verb ends in -an, -er, or -ir. Verbs that are irregular in the preterite are also irregular in the imperfect subjunctive.
hablar tener dormir
yo hablara tuviera durmiera
tú hablaras tuvieras durmieras
él, ella, usted hablara tuviera durmiera
nosotros(as) habláramos tuviéramos durmiéramos
vosotros(as) hablarais tuvierais durmierais
ellos, ellas, ustedes hablaran tuvieran durmieran
Notice that it is necessary to add an accent in the nosotros form.
The imperfect subjunctive form of haber is hubiera.
No me gustó que hubiera tantas personas en la sala de espera.
I didn’t like that there were so many people in the waiting room.
In general, the same rules that apply to the usage of the present subjunctive also apply to the past subjunctive.
To express an opinion using impersonal expressions:
Era importante que habláramos con el médico.
It was important that we talk with the doctor.
To express doubt:
El médico dudaba que fuera necesario operar.
The doctor doubted it would be necessary to operate.
To express desire:
El paciente esperaba que no le pusieran una inyección.
The patient hoped they would not give him a shot.
To talk about the unknown using adjective clauses:
Leo buscaba un medicamento que no causara náusea.
Leo was looking for medication that wouldn’t make him nauseous.
To express an emotion:
A Juana le preocupaba que su hijo tuviera gripe.
Juana was worried that her son had the flu.
Investiguemos La Gramática
Verbs that end in -car, such as conducir, decir, and traducir have slightly different forms in the imperfect subjunctive. The base ending is -era rather than -iera.The verb decir would be conjugated in the following manner: dijera, dijeras, dijera, dijéramos, dijerais, dijeran.
When using the “if clause” to express what would happen in a hypothetical situation or a situation that is not likely or impossible, it is necessary to use the imperfect subjunctive and the conditional.
si + imperfect subjunctive (dependent clause) + conditional (main clause)
Si tuviera tiempo iría al doctor.
If I had time, I’d go to the doctor.
