Lección 16: The Past Subjunctive

Vocabulary and stem formation rules for the Spanish Past Subjunctive (el pretérito imperfecto de subjuntivo) based on Lesson 16.

El pretérito imperfecto de subjuntivo

The Spanish name for the past subjunctive.

Past Subjunctive Stem Formation

Established by taking the Uds./ellos/ellas form of the preterite and dropping the -ron ending.

Past Subjunctive Endings

These are the same for all verbs and are added to the stem (e.g., -ara, -aras, -ara, -áramos, -arais, -aran).

Nosotros/as form (Past Subjunctive)

This form always has a written accent (e.g., estudiáramos, aprendiéramos, recibiéramos).

Quisiera

A specific form of the verb querer often used to make polite requests, such as "Quisiera hablar con Marco."

General usage of the Past Subjunctive

Used in multiple-clause sentences to express will, influence, emotion, commands, indefiniteness, and non-existence, generally for actions that have already happened.

Main clause verb tense (Past Subjunctive context)

The verb in the main clause is usually in the preterite or the imperfect.

dar (Past Subjunctive stem)

die- (from the preterite form dieron)

decir (Past Subjunctive stem)

dije- (from the preterite form dijeron)

estar (Past Subjunctive stem)

estuvie- (from the preterite form estuvieron)

hacer (Past Subjunctive stem)

hicie- (from the preterite form hicieron)

ir/ser (Past Subjunctive stem)

fue- (from the preterite form fueron)

poder (Past Subjunctive stem)

pudie- (from the preterite form pudieren)

poner (Past Subjunctive stem)

pusie- (from the preterite form pusieron)

querer (Past Subjunctive stem)

quisie- (from the preterite form quisieren)

saber (Past Subjunctive stem)

supie- (from the preterite form supieron)

tener (Past Subjunctive stem)

tuvie- (from the preterite form tuvieron)

venir (Past Subjunctive stem)

vinie- (from the preterite form vinieren)

preferir (Past Subjunctive stem)

prefirie- (from the preterite form prefirieron)

dormir (Past Subjunctive stem)

durmie- (from the preterite form durmieren)

conducir (Past Subjunctive stem)

conduje- (from the preterite form condujeron)

creer (Past Subjunctive stem)

creye- (from the preterite form creyeron)

destruir (Past Subjunctive stem)

destruye- (from the preterite form destruyeron)

oír (Past Subjunctive stem)

oye- (from the preterite form oyeren)