Imperfect Subjunctive (Imperfecto de Subjuntivo)

Question 1

What are the three main uses for the Imperfect Subjunctive?

Answer 1

1. To express subjectivity in the past, in situations that would have triggered the present subjective (e.g. the same verbs, impersonal expressions, and conjunctions that would indicate or trigger the subjunctive tense).
2. To make a very polite request or suggestion (only with the verbs deber, poder, and queer).
3. In conditional sentences (si clauses) and with the conjunction como si.

Question 2

I wanted you to do it.

Answer 2

Quería que lo hicieras.

Question 3

She wanted him to laugh.

Answer 3

Ella quería que él se riera.

Question 4

Her father wanted her to laugh.

Answer 4

Su padre quería que ella se riera.

Question 5

They wanted Jose to smile more.

Answer 5

Querían que José sonriera más.

Question 6

Jose wanted us to smile more.

Answer 6

José quería que sonriéramos más.

Question 7

I wanted the gentlemen to smile.

Answer 7

Yo quería que los caballeros sonrieran.

Question 8

My father wanted my sister to dream more.

Answer 8

Mi padre quería que mi hermana soñara más.

Question 9

It was too bad that he couldn’t come.

Answer 9

Fue una lástima que no pudiera venir.

Question 10

It was too bad that they lost the game.

Answer 10

Fue una lástima que no ganaran el juego.

Question 11

It was too bad that your aunt missed the train.

Answer 11

Fue una lástima que su tía perdiera el tren.

Question 12

It was a shame you couldn’t drink wine last night.

Answer 12

Fue una lástima que no pudieras beber vino anoche.

Question 13

I would go to the bank so that we’d have money.

Answer 13

Yo iría al banco para que tuviéramos dinero.

Question 14

You would go to the gym to practice your routine.

Answer 14

Irías al gimnasio para que practicaras su rutina.

Question 15

I’d like two books, please.

Answer 15

Quisiera dos libros, por favor.

Question 16

I would like two tickets, please.

Answer 16

Quisiera dos boletos, por favor.

Question 17

Could you help us?

Answer 17

¿Pudiera Ud. ayudarnos?

Question 18

Could you show me the way to the city?

Answer 18

¿Pudiera me mostrar el camino a la ciudad?

Question 19

If I had money, I would go with you.

Answer 19

Si tuviera dinero, iría contigo.

Question 20

He listens to me as if I were his teacher.

Answer 20

Me escucha como si fuera su profesor.

Question 21

If I were a carpenter, I would build a boat.

Answer 21

Si yo fuera un carpintero, me construyo un barco.

Question 22

If I were taller, I think I would win.

Answer 22

Si fuera más alto, creo que iba a ganar.