If you want to understand how this practice fits into a complete learning path, you can read our full guide on how to learn Spanish online.
Spanish Imperfect Subjunctive (Imperfecto de Subjuntivo): Rules, Uses & Exercises
Learn how to use the Imperfecto de Subjuntivo: rules, conjugation patterns (-ra / -se forms), triggers, uses, irregular verbs, examples, and interactive practice exercises.
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Spanish Exercises. Your Questions Answered.
Explore the most common questions about our Spanish Imperfect Subjunctive Exercises and how Elayaa makes learning interactive, simple, and effective.
💡 What is the Spanish Imperfect Subjunctive?
The Imperfecto de Subjuntivo expresses past wishes, emotions, doubts, hypotheticals, unreal situations, conditionals, polite requests, and actions requiring the subjunctive in a past timeframe.
💡 How is the Imperfect Subjunctive formed?
-RA forms:
-ra, -ras, -ra, -ramos, -rais, -ran
-SE forms:
-se, -ses, -se, -semos, -seis, -sen
Examples:
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hablara / hablase
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comiera / comiese
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viviera / viviese
💡 When is the Imperfect Subjunctive used in Spanish?
It is used for:
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Past wishes or emotions
"Quería que vinieras" (I wanted you to come) -
Hypothetical or unreal situations
"Si tuviera tiempo, viajaría" (If I had time, I would travel) -
Polite requests
"Quisiera hacer una reserva" (I would like to make a reservation) -
After past-tense verbs that trigger the subjunctive
"Me sorprendió que lo hicieran" (It surprised me that they did it) -
Reported speech and dependent clauses in the past
"Dijo que no fuera" (She/He told me not to go)
💡 Are there irregular forms in the Imperfect Subjunctive?
Irregularity comes from the preterite stem.
Common irregular bases include:
tuve → tuviera
dije → dijera
puse → pusiera
hice → hiciera
supe → supiera
hubo → hubiera
fui → fuera
quise → quisiera
vine → viniera
💡 Is the -RA or -SE form more common?
Both are correct, but -ra forms are overwhelmingly more common in modern Spanish.
💡 Does the Imperfect Subjunctive require “que”?
Often yes, especially with two different subjects and verbs of emotion, influence, or doubt.
💡 What triggers the Imperfect Subjunctive?
Main triggers:
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WEIRDO categories in the past (Wishes, Emotions, Impersonal expressions, Recommendations, Doubt, Ojalá)
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If-clauses (si + imperfecto de subjuntivo)
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Past influence, doubt, emotion
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Politeness formulas (quisiera, pudiera, debiera)
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Subjunctive after past-tense main verbs
💡 Is the Imperfect Subjunctive used in everyday Spanish?
Yes, especially in conditional structures (si tuviera…) and polite expressions (quisiera…).
💡 What are examples of the Imperfect Subjunctive?
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"Si fuera posible, iría contigo" (If it was possible, I would come with you)
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"Quisiera pedir ayuda" (I would like to ask for help)
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"Dudaba que lo hicieran" (I doubted they would do it)
💡 Is the Imperfect Subjunctive important for fluency?
Absolutely, it is essential for hypotheticals, conditions, politeness, and natural expression in Spanish.
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