what is it?
The imperfect subjunctive is the past-tense form of the subjunctive mood. It appears in subordinate clauses when the main verb is in a past tense (preterite, imperfect, or conditional) and triggers the subjunctive, in polite requests with verbs like querer, and in the si-clause of counterfactual conditional sentences. Spanish has two interchangeable forms: -ara and -iera (or -ase and -iese in some regions, though the former pair is more common).
when to use it
After past-tense triggers. When the main verb is in the preterite, imperfect, or conditional and requires the subjunctive (doubt, emotion, desire, impersonal expressions, etc.), use the imperfect subjunctive in the subordinate clause.
Polite requests. The imperfect subjunctive softens requests or suggestions, especially with querer, poder, and deber.
Counterfactual conditionals. In hypothetical or contrary-to-fact si clauses, the imperfect subjunctive appears in the if-clause, typically paired with the conditional in the main clause.
formation
Start with the third-person plural (ellos/ellas) form of the preterite, drop the -ron ending, and add the imperfect subjunctive endings. Because the stem comes from the preterite, all irregularities (stem changes, spelling changes, irregular stems) carry over.
| -ar (hablar) | -er (comer) | -ir (vivir) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | hablara / hablase | comiera / comiese | viviera / viviese |
| tú | hablaras / hablases | comieras / comieses | vivieras / vivieses |
| él/ella/usted | hablara / hablase | comiera / comiese | viviera / viviese |
| nosotros/as | habláramos / hablásemos | comiéramos / comiésemos | viviéramos / viviésemos |
| vosotros/as | hablarais / hablaseis | comierais / comieseis | vivierais / vivieseis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | hablaran / hablasen | comieran / comiesen | vivieran / viviesen |
The -ara / -iera forms and the -ase / -iese forms are completely interchangeable in meaning. The -ara / -iera set is more widely used in modern Spanish.
Irregular examples
| infinitive | preterite (ellos) | imperfect subjunctive stem | yo form |
|---|---|---|---|
| tener | tuvieron | tuvier- | tuviera / tuviese |
| hacer | hicieron | hicier- | hiciera / hiciese |
| ser / ir | fueron | fuer- | fuera / fuese |
| decir | dijeron | dijer- | dijera / dijese |
| poder | pudieron | pudier- | pudiera / pudiese |
examples in context
common pitfalls
Using present subjunctive after a past-tense main verb. When the main clause is in a past tense, the subordinate clause must use the imperfect subjunctive, not the present subjunctive. Incorrect: Esperaba que vengas. Correct: Esperaba que vinieras.
Mixing the -ara and -iera stems incorrectly across conjugations. The stem for the imperfect subjunctive comes from the preterite third-person plural. Do not mix endings from different conjugations or invent hybrid forms. Incorrect: habliera or comara. Correct: hablara / hablase and comiera / comiese.
Pairing a counterfactual conditional with the indicative in the if-clause. Hypothetical si clauses require the imperfect subjunctive, not the indicative or the conditional. Incorrect: Si tendría dinero, viajaría. Correct: Si tuviera dinero, viajaría.
Three sentences, graded here. Nothing is saved and no account is needed.
Mamá, ___ un momento con el médico antes de que te vayas, por favor. (hablar)
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.