Imperfect subjunctive
B2Grammar path · Lesson 64 of 86 · Stage B2 · The past subjunctive
You need the imperfect subjunctive whenever a subjunctive trigger is in the past or the conditional, and when talking about imaginary or contrary-to-fact situations. Compare Quiero que vengas with Quería que vinieras: the same idea, moved into the past. To build it, take the ellos form of the preterite, drop -ron and add -ra, -ras, -ra, -ramos, -ran: hablaron becomes hablara, tuvieron becomes tuviera. It is most often confused with the present subjunctive; the rule of thumb is to look at the main verb: present or future takes the present subjunctive, past or conditional takes the imperfect.
Practise this lesson · 10 sentences
Form
verbo en pasado + que + raíz del pretérito (ellos) + -ra/-ras/-ra/-ramos/-ranverbo en pasado + que + no + imperfecto de subjuntivo¿verbo en pasado + que + imperfecto de subjuntivo?si + imperfecto de subjuntivo, condicionalWhen to use it
After past wishes, requests and emotions
When the main verb is in a past tense or the conditional and calls for the subjunctive, the verb after que goes into the imperfect subjunctive.
Unreal conditions with si
To talk about something unreal or unlikely now, use si + imperfect subjunctive, with the conditional in the other clause.
Ojalá and como si: wishes and unreal comparisons
Ojalá + imperfect subjunctive expresses a wish that is unlikely to come true; como si is always followed by the imperfect subjunctive.
Imperfect subjunctive: stem from the ellos preterite (hablaron → habla-)
Signal words
Don't confuse it with
Frequently asked questions
How do you form the imperfect subjunctive?
Take the ellos form of the preterite, drop -ron and add -ra, -ras, -ra, -ramos, -ran. For example hablaron becomes hablara, fueron becomes fuera.
What is the difference between hablara and hablase?
The -ra and -se endings mean the same and are usually interchangeable. In Latin America the -ra form is far more common in everyday speech.
Can I use the conditional after si?
No. In a hypothetical sentence, si takes the imperfect subjunctive: Si tuviera dinero, viajaría, never si tendría.
When do I use quiero que and when quería que?
quiero que is present, so it takes the present subjunctive (quiero que vengas). quería que is past, so it takes the imperfect subjunctive (quería que vinieras).
What does quisiera mean?
quisiera is the imperfect subjunctive of querer, used for polite requests, like 'I would like': Quisiera un café, por favor.
Why does habláramos have an accent?
The nosotros form of the imperfect subjunctive always carries a written accent on the syllable before -ramos: habláramos, tuviéramos, fuéramos.