Overview

The imperfect/past subjunctive (el pretérito imperfecto de subjuntivo) follows all the same rules as the present subjunctive for when to use it. The only difference is timing. Use the imperfect subjunctive when the WEIRDO verb (independent clause) is in the imperfect or the preterit or refers to a previous experience.

Imperfect Subjunctive

To conjugate a verb in the imperfect subjunctive, you must first remember the 3rd person plural of the preterit. Instead of using the infinitive for a stem, the imperfect subjunctive uses the 3rd person plural of the preterit (without the -ron).

Imperfect Subjunctive Stem Formula

imperfect subjunctive stem = 3rd person plural preterit (without the -ron)

• Ustedes hablaron -> habla-
• Ellos tuvieron -> tuvie-
• Ellas vieron -> vie-

Irregular Imperfect Subjunctive

All verbs that are irregular in the 3rd person preterit maintain the same irregularity in the imperfect subjunctive (i.e. tener).

How to Find the Imperfect Subjunctive Stem

While all conjugations (-ar, -er, -ir) have the same endings in the imperfect subjunctive, there are two options for endings for the imperfect subjunctive. The first option is used widely in speech in Spain, Latin America, and South America. The second option is used more in written language in Spain.

Imperfect Subjunctive Endings: 2 Options!

Conjugation Examples

Uses

1. The Independent Clause is in the Past

If the WEIRDO verb (independent clause) is in the preterite or the imperfect, then the subjunctive verb that follows will also be imperfect.

• Quería que vinieras/vinieses a mi fiesta. (I wanted you to come to my party.)
• Tenía miedo de que no lloviera/lloviese. (I was scared it wouldn´t rain.)

2. The Independent Clause Refers to a Previous Occurrence

This is used to express current emotions, doubts, etc. about something that happened in the past.

• Es bueno que (él) se casara/casase. (It´s good that he got married.)
• No me parece que el viaje fuera/fuese largo. (It doesn´t seem to me that they journey was long.)

3. To Indicate Unlikely Events

Use Ojalá or ojalá que to express the idea of hoping for something that is unlikely to happen or are impossible.

• Ojalá que nevara/nevase en Panamá mañana. (I hope it snows in Panama tomorrow.)
• Ojalá mi hermano se casara/casase. (I wish my brother would get married.)

4. If Clauses

When introduced with si (if) the imperfect subjunctive can support an independent clause which introduces a dependent conditional clause. These are usually situations that are not very likely.

• Si yo fuera/fuese reina, viajaría por todo el mundo. (If I were queen, I would travel all over the world.)
• Pintaría más seguido si tuviera/100064/tuviese más tiempo. (I would paint more often if I had more time.)

Exercises

1) Conjugate each verb in parenthesis to the imperfect subjunctive (both options) to complete each sentence.

Example: El recomendó que yo (aprender) español. -' aprendiera, aprendiese

1. Necesitaba que tú (venir) temprano.
2. No pensabas que yo (poder) hacerlo.
3. Me alegré que vosotros me (comprar) este regalo.
4. Mi madre tenía miedo que la (picar) las arañas.
5. Yo quería que mis abuelos (viajar).
6. Si (tener) más dinero, compraría un coche nuevo.
7. Queríamos que nos (mudar) a otra ciudad.
8. Querría que ella me (escribir) una carta.
9. Ojalá que (llover) mañana.
10. Me asusté de que tú (ir) a la fiesta.

Answers

1. vinieras, vinieses
2. pudiera, pudiese
3. comprarais, compraseis
4. picaran, picasen
5. viajaran, vijasen
6. tuviera, tuviese
7. mudáramos, mudásemos
8. escribiera, escribiese
9. lloviera, lloviese
10. fueras, fueses