Unidad 12

Estructuras Gramaticales

Las formas del imperfecto del subjuntivo

• The imperfect subjunctive is formed as follows:

Ellos form of the preterite minus -ron

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Imperfect subjunctive endings

• This pattern applies to all verbs, regular and irregular

Imperfect Subjunctive

Infinitive Tomar Beber Vivir Ser/ ir

Ellos form of preterite

Tomaron Bebieron Vivieron Fueron

Que yo Tomara Bebiera Viviera Fuera

Que tu Tomaras Bebieras Vivieras Fueras

Que el, etc. Tomara Bebiera Viviera Fuera

Que nosotros

Tomáramos Bebiéramos Viviéramos Fuéramos

Que Vosotros

Tomarais Bebierais Vivierais Fuerais

Que ellos, etc.

Tomaran Bebieran Vivieran Fueran

Stem-changing verbs in -irThis pattern applies to stem-changing

verbs in -ir also

Infinitive Preterite (ellos form)

Imperfect subjunctive (yo form)

Sentir [ie, i] Sintieron Que yo sintiera

Pedir [i, i] Pidieron Que yo pidiera

Dormir [ue, u] Durmieron Que yo durmiera

Irregular Preterite StemsThis pattern applies to

irregular preterite stems also

Infinitive Preterite (ellos form)

Imperfect Subjunctive (yo form)

Traer Trajeron Que yo trajera

Estar Estuvieron Que yo estuviera

Un poco mas…• In Spain, a second form

of the imperfect subjunctive is used instead of the -ra endings

• -se (yo), • -ses (tu), • -se (el, ella, ud.), • -semos (nosotros),• -seis (vosotros),• -sen (ellos, ellas, uds.)

El uso general del imperfecto del subjuntivo

• In sentences requiring the subjunctive, the imperfect subjunctive must be used when the verb of the main clause is in a past tense. This occurs:– After a verb or expression of volition– After impersonal expressions conveying a command,

opinion, or judgement– After a verb/expression of emotion or doubt– After a relative pronoun when uncertainty is implied– After a conjunction indicating purpose, intent,

restriction, or anticipation

También…

• The imperfect subjunctive is also used when the verb of the main clause is in the conditional

Me gustaría que Usted visitara mi casa.

¡Sí!

Summary

Main clause Dependent clause

Present tense Present subjunctive

Past tense (preterite, imperfect, pluperfect) or conditional

Imperfect subjunctive

Las oraciones con si• These sentences contain 2 clauses

– A si-clause (if-clause) that states the condition– A main-clause (result clause) that expresses the

possible outcome

Si-clause (condition)

Main Clause (result)

When the condition expresses something possible

Present indicative Future

When the condition expresses something contrary to reality

Imperfect subjunctive

conditional

También

• The imperfect subjunctive is used after “como si” (as if), since this conjunction always refers to something contrary to reality.