Subjunctive Imperfect: Past Wishes and Hypotheticals
Quick Answer: The imperfect subjunctive is formed from the third person plural preterite: remove '-ron' and add -ra/-ras/-ra/-ramos/-rais/-ran (or the less common -se form).
The 'if I were you' tense of Spanish
Category: Verb Tenses
The Rule
The imperfect subjunctive is formed from the third person plural preterite: remove '-ron' and add -ra/-ras/-ra/-ramos/-rais/-ran (or the less common -se form). It's used for past subjunctive contexts and hypothetical 'si' clauses.
Why This Matters
This tense handles 'if I were...' scenarios and past-tense versions of all subjunctive triggers. The -ra form is preferred in Latin America and everyday speech; the -se form is more literary/formal but equally correct.
Examples
• Si tuviera dinero, viajaría. — "If I had money, I would travel." [Hypothetical si clause] • Quería que vinieras. — "I wanted you to come." [Past wish + different subject] • Si yo fuera tú, estudiaría más. — "If I were you, I would study more." [Contrary to fact] • Ojalá pudiera ayudarte. — "I wish I could help you." [Ojalá + imperfect subjunctive for unlikely wishes]
Common Mistakes
❌ Si tendría dinero, viajaría. ✅ Si tuviera dinero, viajaría. → NEVER use the conditional after 'si.' The si-clause takes the imperfect subjunctive; the result clause takes the conditional. ❌ Si yo sería rico... ✅ Si yo fuera rico... → The 'si' clause must use the imperfect subjunctive (fuera), never the conditional (sería).
Quick Tip
Build imperfect subjunctive from the PRETERITE third-person plural: tuvieron → tuvie- → tuviera. This works for ALL verbs, including irregulars. The -ra and -se forms (tuviera/tuviese) are interchangeable.
Build imperfect subjunctive from the PRETERITE third-person plural: tuvieron → tuvie- → tuviera. This works for ALL verbs, including irregulars. The -ra and -se forms (tuviera/tuviese) are interchangeable.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: Si tendría dinero, viajaría. → Correct: Si tuviera dinero, viajaría.. NEVER use the conditional after 'si.' The si-clause takes the imperfect subjunctive; the result clause takes the conditional.
Incorrect: Si yo sería rico... → Correct: Si yo fuera rico.... The 'si' clause must use the imperfect subjunctive (fuera), never the conditional (sería).
Quiz
How is the imperfect subjunctive of 'tener' (yo) formed?