Imperfecto
[subjuntivo]
When do I use it?
The imperfect subjunctive is used when you want to talk about something in the past that has a subjunctive trigger tied to it. For information on when to use the subjunctive (and not the indicative), click here.
It was disappointing that she went to jail at such a young age.
He looked at me as if I were crazy!
When do I learn it?
-Originally learned in: Spanish IV
-Reviewed in: Spanish V, APSLang
Basic info:
This conjugation requires a 3-step process that is tricky if you don't remember preterite conjugations. To re-educate yourself on the preterite conjugations, click here.
**This conjugation is ALWAYS used after the expression "como si" (as if)**
3 step conjugation
"Ellos" preterite
Once again, if you don't remember your preterite conjugations, go here for a refresher.
DECIR --> dijeron
DORMIR --> durmieron
HABLAR --> hablaron
**For imperfect subjunctive verbs, if the ellos preterite verb is irregular, all these conjugations will maintain that irregularity.**
Drop the "ron"
dijeron --> dije-
durmieron --> durmie-
hablaron --> habla-
add new endings
*-ar, -er, & -ir verbs all get the same endings seen below*
NEW ENDINGS:
-ra (yo)
-ras (tú)
-ra (él, ella, Ud.)
-__'ramos (nosotros)[there will ALWAYS be an accent on the vowel right before the "r"]
-rais (vosotros)
-ran (ellos, ellas, Uds.)
dijera, dijéramos...
durmiera, durmiéramos...
hablara, habláramos...
Online practice
Conjugation practice on conjuguemos.com