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GrammarNovember 22, 2023
Spanish Imperfect Subjunctive (Imperfecto de Subjuntivo): Guide
Master the Spanish imperfect subjunctive for past wishes, hypotheticals, and polite requests. Learn triggers, -ra vs -se endings, and usage.
Master the Spanish imperfect subjunctive for past wishes, hypotheticals, and polite requests. Learn triggers, -ra vs -se endings, and usage.
The Imperfect Subjunctive (Imperfecto de Subjuntivo) is used to express the same subjectivity as the Present Subjunctive (wishes, emotions, doubts, etc.) but in past contexts or in hypothetical situations.
When to Use the Spanish Imperfect Subjunctive
The Imperfect Subjunctive is mainly used in these situations:
When the main clause verb (the WEIRDO trigger) is in a past tense (Imperfect, Preterite, Pluperfect, Conditional).
In the "if" part of sentences describing situations contrary to fact in the present or unlikely in the future (Type 2 Conditionals).
Si tuviera más dinero, viajaría más. (If I had more money, I would travel more.)
Si yo fuera tú, no lo haría. (If I were you, I wouldn't do it.)
Compraríamos una casa si pudiéramos. (We would buy a house if we could.)
Often used with verbs like querer, poder, deber to make requests or suggestions sound softer or more hypothetical.
Quisiera un café, por favor. (I would like a coffee, please. - more polite than quiero)
¿Pudieras ayudarme? (Could you possibly help me? - very polite/tentative)
Debieras hablar con él. (You probably should talk to him.)
The expression como si (as if / as though) always requires the Imperfect Subjunctive.
Imperfect Subjunctive Formation (-ra and -se Endings)
Forming the Imperfect Subjunctive is unique:
Both sets of endings are generally interchangeable! The -ra forms are more common in modern spoken Spanish, while -se forms might appear more in literature.
¡Ojo! The nosotros form always has a written accent on the vowel immediately before the "-ramos" ending.
¡Ojo! The nosotros form always has a written accent on the vowel immediately before the "-semos" ending.
comiera
comieras
comiera
comiéramos
comierais
comieran
Since the Imperfect Subjunctive is based on the Preterite ellos form, any irregularity in that Preterite form carries over.
Always start from the 3rd person plural (ellos) Preterite form, not the infinitive or present tense.
Correct: hablaron → habla- → hablara
Correct: tuvieron → tuvie- → tuviera
The -ramos and -semos endings always require an accent on the preceding vowel.
Correct: habláramos / hablásemos
Correct: comiéramos / comiésemos
If the main clause verb is in the past, the dependent clause usually needs the Imperfect Subjunctive.
Incorrect: El profesor quería que yo haga la tarea.
Correct: El profesor quería que yo hiciera la tarea.
Hypothetical "if" clauses use Imperfect Subjunctive, not Conditional.
Incorrect: Si yo tendría tiempo, iría.
Correct: Si yo tuviera tiempo, iría.
Ready to test your knowledge of the Spanish imperfect subjunctive? Head over to our Practice page and select the imperfecto de subjuntivo (-ra) or imperfecto de subjuntivo (-se) option to practice.
The practice tool will help you master using the subjunctive mood for hypothetical situations, expressing wishes, and contrary-to-fact conditions.