¡Hola! Now that you know how to form the Imperfect Subjunctive, let's explore its most common and important uses. This tense is key for expressing hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situations (especially in "if" clauses), making very polite requests or suggestions, and after certain expressions referring to past unreal events or wishes.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
The Imperfect Subjunctive often deals with "what if" scenarios or softens requests to a high degree of politeness. It usually refers to something that is unlikely, unreal, or a past wish/doubt.
(Optional Review): Conjugate "tener" in the Imperfect Subjunctive (tuviera/tuviese, tuvieras/tuvieses...). What is the conditional "yo" form of "viajar"? (viajaría). We'll see these tenses working together!
This is one of the most common uses. When an "if" clause describes a situation that is unlikely, hypothetical, or contrary to present/future reality, the verb in the "if" clause (the condition) is in the Imperfect Subjunctive. The main clause (the result) typically uses the Conditional tense.
Structure: Si + Imperfect Subjunctive, Conditional
(The order of the clauses can be reversed: Viajaría por el mundo si tuviera más dinero.)
The Imperfect Subjunctive of verbs like querer, poder, and deber can be used to make requests, suggestions, or statements sound extremely polite or softened, even more so than the conditional.
The expression como si (as if, as though) is always followed by the Imperfect Subjunctive because it introduces a hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situation.
If the main verb in a WEIRDO construction (Wishes, Emotions, Impersonal Expressions, Recommendations, Doubt, Ojalá) is in a past tense (Imperfect, Preterite) or the Conditional, the verb in the subordinate "que" clause is usually in the Imperfect Subjunctive (if the actions are simultaneous or future from that past/conditional point).
(This use involving sequences of tenses with subjunctive is more advanced and will be reinforced over time.)
Master uses of the Imperfect Subjunctive.
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Instructions: Read the sentence and identify the primary reason for using the Imperfect Subjunctive (Hypothetical "si" clause, Polite request, "Como si," Past WEIRDO trigger).
Answer Key:
Instructions: Complete the sentences using the Imperfect Subjunctive in the "si" clause and the Conditional in the main clause. Use the -ra form of the subjunctive.
Answer Key:
Instructions: Translate or complete the sentences.
Answer Key:
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, take turns completing the sentence "Si yo fuera presidente/presidenta, yo..." using the Imperfect Subjunctive in the "si" clause (implicitly, as it's already given by "fuera") and then the Conditional for what you would do.
Example: Si yo fuera presidente, construiría más parques.
The Imperfect Subjunctive is a powerful tool in Spanish that deeply reflects cultural approaches to politeness, speculation, and how past unrealized possibilities are discussed. Using "quisiera" (I would like) instead of a more direct "quiero" (I want) in a restaurant or shop is not just grammatically different; it's a common marker of courtesy and respect, particularly when addressing service staff or in more formal interactions across many Spanish-speaking cultures.
Furthermore, the "Si yo fuera..." (If I were...) constructions, which employ the Imperfect Subjunctive, are staples in conversations about dreams, aspirations, and hypothetical scenarios. This ability to easily and grammatically discuss "what if" situations fosters a space for imaginative thinking and sharing personal, often unrealized, desires. When used to reflect on past events (e.g., after past WEIRDO triggers), it allows for nuanced expressions of regret, wishes, or emotions about things that might have been, which is a common way people connect over shared human experiences.
As mentioned in the formation chapter, both the -ra and -se endings for the Imperfect Subjunctive are correct and largely interchangeable. You might hear or see one more than the other depending on the region or speaker, but both are valid for all the uses discussed in this chapter.
Example: Si yo tuviera dinero... / Si yo tuviese dinero... (Both are correct.)
The Imperfect Subjunctive (especially quisiera, pudiera, debiera) often represents a higher level of politeness or deference than the Conditional (querría, podría, debería) or the Present Indicative (quiero, puedo, debo).
The most common structure you'll encounter for hypothetical situations contrary to present/future fact is: Si + Imperfect Subjunctive, Conditional Simple (If [this unlikely thing happened/were true], then [this other thing would happen]).
Memorizing this pattern will be very helpful. There are other types of "if" clauses (e.g., referring to past hypotheticals, which use Pluperfect Subjunctive), but this is the foundational one.
¡Felicidades! You've now explored the formation and key uses of the Imperfect Subjunctive. This is a significant step into advanced Spanish grammar. In the next chapter, we'll look at 'Common Idioms and Expressions,' which will help make your Spanish sound much more natural and fluent. Idioms often don't translate literally, so learning them is key to deeper understanding!