4.7. Verb Tenses in Spanish: Imperfect Subjunctive

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Spanish, like any other language, has a variety of tenses that are used to express actions that occurred at different times. One of these tenses is the Imperfect Subjunctive. This tense is used to talk about hypothetical situations, wishes, doubts and advice. In this chapter, we are going to delve into the Imperfect Subjunctive, its rules, uses and examples.

Formation of the Imperfect Subjunctive

To form the Imperfect Subjunctive in Spanish, we start with the third person plural (ellos, ellas, ustedes) of the Simple Past Perfect. We removed the "-ron" suffix and added the appropriate endings. The endings for regular verbs are as follows:

• -ra
• -ras
• -ra
• -branches
• -rais
• -ran

For example, the verb "hablar" (to speak) in the Simple Past Perfect is "hablaron". Removing the "-ron", we are left with "habla-". Now we add the appropriate endings:

• yo speak
• you speak
• él/ella/usted hablara
• nosotros/nosotras habláramos
• vosotros/vosotras hablarais
• ellos/ellas/ustedes hablaran

Use of the Imperfect Subjunctive

The Imperfect Subjunctive is used in various situations. Here are some of the most common ones:

• To express hypothetical or uncertain actions in the past. For example: "Si tuviera dinero, viaría por el mundo" (If I had money, I would travel around the world).
• To express wishes or hopes. For example: "Esperaba que tú vinieras a la fiesta" (I hoped you would come to the party).
• To give advice or make recommendations. For example: "Sería mejor que estudiaras para el Examen" (It would be better if you studied for the exam).

Examples of the Imperfect Subjunctive

Here are some examples of how the Imperfect Subjunctive is used in sentences:

• "Si yo fuera rico, compraría una casa en la playa" (If I were rich, I would buy a house on the beach).
• "Deseaba que él me llamara" (I wish he would call me).
• "It was important that you understood the lesson".

In summary, the Imperfect Subjunctive is a crucial tense in Spanish that allows you to express hypothetical actions, wishes, doubts and advice. It is important to practice this tense to become fluent in Spanish and be able to communicate effectively in different situations.

Keep practicing and don't forget to review this chapter whenever you have questions about the Imperfect Subjunctive. Remember, practice makes perfect!

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494.8. Verb Tenses in Spanish: Future Subjunctive