The past subjunctive has the same uses as the present subjunctive, but it also has a few more uses.
Spanish
English
Ojalá pudiera leer mentes.
I wish I could read minds.
Imperfect Subjunctive - Form
Rule 1. To form the past subjunctive follow the steps below.
1. First, conjugate the main verb in the third person plural (ellos, ellas) of the indicative preterite form, and eliminate the ending. Here is an example with the verb hablar.
| Infinitive Form | Past Form |
|---|---|
| hablar | (ellos) hablaron |
| Infinitive Form | Past Form |
|---|---|
| hablar | (ellos) hablaron |
2. Then, add the correct past imperfect ending.
| Subject Pronoun | Imperfect Subjunctive Ending | Imperfect Subjunctive Form |
|---|---|---|
| yo | -ra | hablara |
| tú | -ras | hablaras |
| él, ella, usted | -ra | hablara |
| nosotros, nosotras | -ramos | habláramos |
| vosotros, vosotras | -rais | hablarais |
| ellos, ellas, ustedes | -ran | hablaran |
| Subject Pronoun | Imperfect Subjunctive Ending | Imperfect Subjunctive Form |
|---|---|---|
| yo | -ra | hablara |
| tú | -ras | hablaras |
| él, ella, usted | -ra | hablara |
| nosotros, nosotras | -ramos | habláramos |
| vosotros, vosotras | -rais | hablarais |
| ellos, ellas, ustedes | -ran | hablaran |
Spanish
English
Yo te recomendaba que hablaras con el supervisor.
I recommended that you talk to the supervisor.
Follow the same steps for irregular verbs. If a verb is irregular in the preterite, it will be irregular in the past subjunctive. For instance, let's take the verb ser. The preterite conjugation of the third person plural is fueron. This is the same stem you will use in the past subjunctive.
Spanish
English
Mis papás querían que fuera doctora.
My parents wanted me to be a doctor.
The Two Endings of the Past Imperfect Subjunctive
Rule 2. The past subjunctive has the peculiarity of having two endings. Let's see an example with the verb comer.
| Subject Pronoun | First Option | Second Option |
|---|---|---|
| yo | comiera | comiese |
| tú | comieras | comieses |
| él, ella, usted | comiera | comiese |
| nosotros, nosotras | comiéramos | comiésemos |
| vosotros, vosotras | comierais | comieseis |
| ellos, ellas, ustedes | comieran | comiesen |
| Subject Pronoun | First Option | Second Option |
|---|---|---|
| yo | comiera | comiese |
| tú | comieras | comieses |
| él, ella, usted | comiera | comiese |
| nosotros, nosotras | comiéramos | comiésemos |
| vosotros, vosotras | comierais | comieseis |
| ellos, ellas, ustedes | comieran | comiesen |
Both endings are correct, and their use depends on the region or country. For example, in Mexico, the first option is preferred, and the second option may sound a bit more cultured or formal.
Spanish
English
Es una lástima que no pudiera/pudiese trabajar desde casa.
It's a pity I couldn't work from home.
Imperfect Subjunctive - Uses
Rule 3. The uses of the past subjunctive include those of the present subjunctive (i.e., W.E.I.R.D.O. = wishes, emotions, impersonal expressions, recommendations, doubts, and ojalá) but speak of past situations.
Spanish
English
Los doctores me recomendaron que caminara media hora al día.
The doctors recommended that I walk half an hour a day.
Rule 4. It is also used to talk about impossible situations in the present with the following construction:
ojalá + imperfect subjunctive
Spanish
English
Ojalá pudiera leer mentes.
I wish I could read minds.
It is clear that I cannot and will never be able to read minds, and this sentence helps me to express it.
Rule 4. The same construction is used to talk about unlikely future situations, although this is less common.
ojalá + imperfect subjunctive
Spanish
English
Ojalá ganaran la lotería.
I hope they win the lottery.
Quiz
1/3
Mi tíos querían que mi prima _______ leyes. (estudiar)
0
correct answers.