Imperfect Subjunctive Spanish: A Complete B1 Grammar Guide (Formation & Uses)

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Key Takeaways

• Master the two conjugation forms (-ra and -se) of the Spanish imperfect subjunctive.
• Learn the simple formula to form it from the preterite tense.
• Understand the four main uses: with conditional, “como si”, past WEIRDO, and reported speech.
• Differentiate between present and imperfect subjunctive based on the main clause tense.
• Practice with real-life examples to express hypotheticals, wishes, and polite requests in the past.

The Key to Hypotheticals and Polite Past Desires
You’ve mastered the present subjunctive for present and future scenarios. Now, enter the imperfect subjunctive – the essential tool for talking about unreal situations, past wishes, polite requests, and hypothetical “what if” scenarios. Think of it as the subjunctive mood’s bridge to the past and the world of imagination.

What is the Imperfect Subjunctive?

The imperfect subjunctive is used in similar situations as the present subjunctive, but when the main clause is in a past tense (preterite, imperfect, conditional) or when discussing hypothetical or unreal conditions in the present.

Present Subjunctive: “Espero que venga.” (I hope he comes.) → Present hope.
Imperfect Subjunctive: “Esperaba que viniera.” (I hoped he would come.) → Past hope.
Hypothetical: “Si tuviera dinero, viajaría.” (If I had money, I would travel.) → Unreal present condition.

How to Form the Imperfect Subjunctive: The -ra and -se Endings

The formation is surprisingly consistent. Start with the third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) form of the preterite tense, drop the “-ron” ending, and add the appropriate set of endings.

Step 1: Find the Preterite “Ellos” Form.

• Hablar → hablaron
• Comer → comieron
• Vivir → vivieron
• Tener → tuvieron
• Ir/Ser → fueron

Step 2: Drop “-ron” and Add Endings.

Table: Imperfect Subjunctive Endings

Pronoun	-ra Endings (More Common)	-se Endings (Formal/Literary)
Yo	-ra	-se
Tú	-ras	-ses
Él/Ella/Ud.	-ra	-se
Nosotros	-ramos	-semos
Vosotros	-rais	-seis
Ellos/Uds.	-ran	-sen

Conjugation Examples with Sentences:

• Hablar (ellos hablaron)
  • -ra forms: hablara, hablaras, hablara, habláramos, hablarais, hablaran
  • -se forms: hablase, hablases, hablase, hablásemos, hablaseis, hablasen
  • Example: “Quería que habláramos en privado.” (I wanted us to talk in private.)
• Tener (ellos tuvieron)
  • Stem: tuvie-
  • -ra forms: tuviera, tuvieras, tuviera, tuviéramos, tuvierais, tuvieran
  • Example: “Si tuviera tiempo, te ayudaría.” (If I had time, I would help you.)
• Ir/Ser (ellos fueron)
  • Stem: fue-
  • -ra forms: fuera, fueras, fuera, fuéramos, fuerais, fueran
  • Example: “Era como si él fuera invisible.” (It was as if he were invisible.)

💡 Grammar Tip: The -ra forms are more common in everyday speech and writing. The -se forms are interchangeable but sound more formal or literary. Knowing both is important for comprehension.

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When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive: The 4 Key Uses

Use the imperfect subjunctive in these four primary scenarios:

1. With a Past Tense Main Clause (Past WEIRDO)
When the verb in the main clause is in a past tense (imperfect, preterite, conditional), the dependent clause uses the imperfect subjunctive.

• “Era importante que estudiáramos.” (It was important that we studied.)
• “Me pidió que llegara temprano.” (He asked me to arrive early.)
• “No creían que fuera posible.” (They didn’t believe it was possible.)

2. In Conditional Sentences (Si Clauses) – Type 2
To express hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situations in the present.
Structure: Si + [Imperfect Subjunctive], [Conditional Tense]

• “Si ganara la lotería, compraría una casa.” (If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.)
• “Viajaríamos más si tuviéramos vacaciones.” (We would travel more if we had vacation time.)

3. With “Como Si” (As If)

• “Habla como si lo supiera todo.” (He talks as if he knew everything.)
• “Me miró como si no me reconociera.” (She looked at me as if she didn’t recognize me.)

4. For Polite Requests or Suggestions (Softer than Present Subjunctive)

• “Quería pedirte que me ayudaras.” (I wanted to ask you to help me.) → More polite than “Quiero pedirte que me ayudes.”
• “Sería bueno que llegáramos a tiempo.” (It would be good if we arrived on time.)

Present vs. Imperfect Subjunctive: Quick Comparison

Scenario	Main Clause Verb	Subjunctive Verb
Present/Future Hope	Present (Espero)	Present Subjunctive (venga)
Past Hope	Past (Esperaba)	Imperfect Subjunctive (viniera)
Current Request	Present (Pido)	Present Subjunctive (hagas)
Polite Past Request	Past/ Conditional (Quería / Quisiera)	Imperfect Subjunctive (hicieras)
Real Possibility	–	Present Subjunctive (Si viene, …)
Hypothetical	–	Imperfect Subjunctive (Si viniera, …)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Mixing Present and Past Triggers: Using present subjunctive after a past main verb. “Ayer pidió que yo vaya.” (Wrong) → “Ayer pidió que yo fuera.” (Right).
• Using Indicative in “Si” Clauses for Hypotheticals: “Si tengo dinero, viajaré.” (If I have money, I will travel.) → Real possibility. “Si tuviera dinero, viajaría.” → Hypothetical.
• Forgetting the Accent in Nosotros Form: “hablaramos” (Wrong) → “habláramos” (Right). “comieramos” → “comiéramos”.

Putting It All Together: Real-Life Context

Telling a Story About a Past Wish:
“Ayer esperaba que mi amigo viniera a visitarme. Hubiera querido que pasáramos el día juntos. Pero era imposible que viniera porque tenía que trabajar. Si no trabajara los sábados, podríamos vernos más.”

Translation:
“Yesterday I was hoping my friend would come visit me. I would have liked us to spend the day together. But it was impossible for him to come because he had to work. If he didn’t work on Saturdays, we could see each other more.”

Quick Reference Chart

Element	Rule	Example
Formation	Preterite 3rd person plural (-ron) + -ra/-se endings	hablaron → hablara / hablase
Key Use 1	Past WEIRDO triggers	Esperaba que + imperfect subj.
Key Use 2	Hypothetical “Si” clauses (Type 2)	Si tuviera…, viajaría…
Key Use 3	With “Como si”	como si fuera…
Polite Tone	Softens requests/suggestions	Quisiera que… / Sería bueno que…

Practice Exercise: Fill in the Blank
Choose the correct form of the imperfect subjunctive.

1. Mi jefe prefirió que yo __________ (trabajar) desde casa.
2. Si tú __________ (saber) la respuesta, ¿me la dirías?
3. Ella actuaba como si no __________ (oír) nada.
4. Fue una lástima que ustedes no __________ (poder) venir.
5. Quisiera que __________ (hacer, nosotros) un viaje.

Answers:

1. trabajara / trabajase
2. supieras / supieses
3. oyera / oyese
4. pudieran / pudiesen
5. hiciéramos / hiciésemos

📚 Review Related Topics: Present Subjunctive | Conditional Tense | Si Clauses | Preterite Tense | Spanish Verb Conjugation Tool

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