Grammar

Question 1

How is the imperfect subjunctive formed?

Answer 1

Take the 3rd person plural of the preterite.

• ar verbs: -ara, -aras, -ara, -áramos, -arais, -aran
• er/-ir verbs: -iera, -ieras, -iera, -iéramos, -ierais, -ieran

Question 2

Examples of the imperfect subjunctive:

1) I didn’t know that he had any money.
2) It was great that we won.
3) My parents wanted you to come.
4) If I were to have the opportunity/If I had the opportunity.

Answer 2

1) No sabía que tuviera dinero.
2) Era genial que ganáramos.
3) Mis padres querían que vinieras.
4) Si tuviera la oportunidad.

Question 3

How is the pluperfect subjunctive formed?

Answer 3

Formed with the imperfect subjunctive of the auxiliary verb ‘haber’ plus the past participle.
Imperfect subjunctive of haber: hubiera, hubieras, hubiera, hubiéramos, hubierais, hubieran

Question 4

Examples of the pluperfect subjunctive:

1) I would have gone.
2) We would have eaten.

Answer 4

1) Hubiera ido

2) Hubiéramos comido

Question 5

Sentences with ‘si hubiera’ can be followed by the conditional perfect or by another verb in the pluperfect subjunctive. Examples:

1) If I had gone, I would have won.
2) If I had lost, I would have cried.

Answer 5

1) Si hubiera ido, habría ganado/hubiera ganado.

2) Si hubiera perdido, hubiera llorado/habría llorado.