Imperfect Subjunctive - Spanish Verbs

Select Verbs to Practice

ser(to be)ir(to go)estar(to be)tener(to have)hacer(to do/make)poder(to be able/can)poner(to put)saber(to know)venir(to come)decir(to say/tell)traer(to bring)dar(to give)haber(to have (auxiliary))querer(to want)conducir(to drive)argüir(to argue/contend)bendecir(to bless)corroer(to corrode)creer(to believe)elegir(to choose/elect)engullir(to gulp down/devour)erguir(to erect/raise)gruñir(to growl/grumble)morir(to die)predecir(to predict)raer(to scrape/scratch off)reñir(to quarrel/scold)seguir(to follow/continue)sentir(to feel/regret)sonreír(to smile)tañer(to ring/toll)

When to Use

Use the imperfect subjunctive in the same contexts as present subjunctive, but when the main clause is in the past. Also used for contrary-to-fact conditions (si clauses).

Important Rules

•Based on the ellos form of preterite: remove -ron, add endings
•Two forms exist: -ra/-ras/-ra/-ramos/-rais/-ran (more common)
•Or: -se/-ses/-se/-semos/-seis/-sen (more formal)
•If preterite is irregular, imperfect subjunctive is irregular

Regular Pattern Example

hablar → hablara/hablase, hablaras/hablases, hablara/hablase...