The Imperfect subjunctive

Uses:


 5.To express courtesy:
Same case as one of the uses of the Conditional but this tense expresses more politeness.

Examples:
Quisiera contar con tu apoyo.(I would like to depend on your support.)
¿Pudiera usted aydarme? (Could you help me?)

Uses in sentences of two clauses

The Imerfect Subjunctive in two clauses denotes an action which may take place after the action of the principal verb, which is in the Past Indicative.

Remember that the subject of the principal clause must be different than the subject of the subordinated clause.

Ejemplo:
Action follows the action of the principal verb.
Nosotros quisimos que tu regresaras.
Past indicative--------Imperfect Subjunctive
We wanted you to come back.

Types of Clauses
Nominal Clauses
Indefinite Clauses
Clauses with COMO SI
Impersonal Clauses
Adverbial Clauses

Nominal Clauses

This type of clauses includes a verb that expresses doubt, wish or influence, emotion or perception.
In this case, the verbs of the principal clause are in the Past Indicative, whereas the verbs of the subordinated clause are in the Imperfect Subjunctive.

Principal Clause                                                                      Subordinated Clause
Past Indicative                                                                        Imperfect Subjunctive

1.Verbs of doubt
No creimos                                      que                                la selva fuera tan bonita.
We didn't believe the jungle would be so pretty.

2.Verbs of wishing or influence
A ustedes les pedimos                      que                                nos visitaran.
We asked you to visit us.


3.Verbs of emotion
Nos alegro                                       que                               contaran con nosotros.
We were delighted that they could depend on us.

4.Verbs of perception
No senti                                           que                              el me quisiera tanto.
I don't feel like he loved me as much.


1.Clauses with verbs expressing doubt.
This type of clause expresses uncertainty about past actions.

Examples:
No creimos que ganaras tanto dinero.
We didn't believe that you would earn so much money.

El dudaba que me gustara el arte.
He doubted that I would like art.

Verbs of Doubt:
dudar, temer, no estar seguro de, no parecer, no pensar, no creer;

Important:

The verbs creer, parecer and pensar are used with Imperfect Subjunctive only in the negative and interrogative form.

Example: ¿Te parecio que estuviera enfermo? (Did it seem to you that he was ill?
No, no me parecio que estuviera enfermo. (It didn't seem to me that he was ill.)

In the affirmative form they are used with indcative
Me parecio que estaba enfermo.(It seemed to me that he was ill.)

2.Clauses with verbs expressing wish or influence

This type of clause is used to express wish, hope, suggestion or necessity about past actions.

Examples:
El cantante necesitaba que le aplaudiera. (The singer needed to be applauded.)
El sacerdote suplico que tuvieramos fe. (The priest asked us to have faith.)

Verbs of wishing or influence:
desear, esperar, pedir, querer, necesitar....
aceptar, aprobar, dejar, impedir, sugerir, prohibir,..

3.Clauses with verbs expressing emotion
To express feelings about past actions

Examples:
Le encanto que su hijo se parecera a el.( He was delighted that his son looked like him)

A ella le gusto que el le dijera guapa.( She likes him to call her gorgeous.)

Verbs of emotion:
cansar, aburrir, disgustar, divertir, doler, encantar, extrañar, gustar, emocionar, dar pena,...

4.With verbs expressing perception
In order to express appreciation of,ou opinion on past actions.This type of sentence is usually used n the negative or nterrogative form.

Examples:
Yo no vi que el proyecto tuviera aceptacion.(I didn't see that the project would have approval.

Yo no me di cuenta de que vosotros estuvierais tan cansados.(I didn't reaize that you where so tired.

Verbs of perception:
descubir,sentir, ver, oir, notar, percibir;

Important:
If  both clauses have the same subject, the form verb & infinitive must be used:
Example: Yo quise que yo estuviera tranquilo.(incorrect)
Yo quise estar tranquilo.(correct)

Are you interested in learning Spanish? Visit the website of my MarAzul Ecuador Spanish School in Montañita.