Imperfect Subjunctive?

Question

How does one use the imperfect subjunctive tense?

Answer 1

When the governing verb in a “past time” tense such as the imperfect indicative, the preterite indicative, the conditional, the conditional perfect, the imperfect subjunctive or the past perfect subjunctive then you follow it with the imperfect subjunctive (for a simultaneous or future action or state)*

*It you're referring to a prior state or action you would use the past perfect subjunctive instead.

Answer 2

The impefect subjunctive is usually used in most past tense "si" clauses. (While on the other hand, the present subjunctive is only used in "si" clauses that are hypothetical.)

Imperfect Subjunctive Si mi madre me diera un coche, se lo mostraría a todos mis amigos. If my mom gave me a car, I would show it to all of my friends.

Si cocinara el pollo esta noche, es probable que lo quemaría. If I cooked chicken tonight, it's probable that I would burn it.

Sometimes the imperfect subj. is used in polite questions or statements with querer, poder, and deber

Quisiera 2 cervezas, por favor. (I would like 2 beers, please.) Pudieras ayudarme? (Would you [possibly] help me? Almost sounding apologetical)

Hey Brady, si is never followed by the present subjunctive - Kiwi-Girl, Apr 1, 2012

Answer 3

Hi lOVe_PiNK,

Welcome to the forum. Click on this link to find out all you need to know about subjunctives

subjunctive.