6.3 Imperfect Subjunctive, Si Clauses & Sequence of Tenses
Key Takeaways
- The imperfect subjunctive is derived by taking the 3rd-person plural (ellos/ellas) preterite form, dropping -ron, and adding -ra, -ras, -ra, -ramos, -rais, -ran (with a mandatory written accent on the vowel preceding -ramos).
- An alternate set of endings (-se, -ses, -se, -semos, -seis, -sen) is syntactically equivalent and widely used in literary contexts and Spanish-speaking regions.
- Sequence of tenses rules dictate that past matrix triggers (preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, conditional) require the imperfect or pluperfect subjunctive in dependent clauses.
- Type 2 (contrary-to-fact present) Si clauses combine Si + imperfect subjunctive with the conditional tense in the main clause (e.g., Si tuviera dinero, compraría un coche).
- Type 3 (contrary-to-fact past) Si clauses combine Si + pluperfect subjunctive with the conditional perfect (e.g., Si hubiera sabido, habría ido).
6.3 Imperfect Subjunctive, Si Clauses & Sequence of Tenses
The imperfect subjunctive (el imperfecto de subjuntivo) is used to express subjective attitudes, desires, doubts, and emotions when the governing matrix verb is set in the past or conditional tense. It also plays a foundational role in constructing hypothetical Si clauses (if clauses) and making polite requests. Understanding its derivation and sequence of tenses is a major testing point on the CLEP exam.
1. Derivation & Conjugation of the Imperfect Subjunctive
Unlike present-tense formations, the imperfect subjunctive stem is derived exclusively from the 3rd-person plural (ellos/ellas/Uds.) form of the preterite indicative.
Step-by-Step Derivation Formula:
- Conjugate the verb in the preterite 3rd-person plural (ellos/ellas).
- Drop the -ron ending to extract the imperfect subjunctive stem.
- Add either the -ra endings (most common) or the -se endings (alternative literary form).
Hablar --> ellos hablaron --> habla- --> hablara, hablaras, hablara, habláramos, hablarais, hablaran
Tener --> ellos tuvieron --> tuvie- --> tuviera, tuvieras, tuviera, tuviéramos, tuvierais, tuvieran
Decir --> ellos dijeron --> dije- --> dijera, dijeras, dijera, dijéramos, dijerais, dijeran
Ir/Ser --> ellos fueron --> fue- --> fuera, fueras, fuera, fuéramos, fuerais, fueran
Conjugation Endings Comparison
| Subject | -ra Endings (Standard) | -se Endings (Alternative) |
|---|---|---|
| yo | -ra | -se |
| tú | -ras | -ses |
| él / ella / Ud. | -ra | -se |
| nosotros/as | -́ramos (written accent) | -́semos (written accent) |
| vosotros/as | -rais | -seis |
| ellos / ellas / Uds. | -ran | -sen |
CRITICAL RULE FOR NOSOTROS: In the nosotros form of both -ra and -se variants, a written accent mark must be placed on the vowel immediately preceding the suffix: habláramos, comiéramos, viviéramos, tuviéramos, dijéramos, fuéramos.
Stem Consistency from Preterite Irregulars
Because the imperfect subjunctive uses the preterite 3rd-person plural, any irregular preterite stem carries over directly:
- Estar (estuvieron) $\rightarrow$ estuviera, estuvieras, estuviera, estuviéramos...
- Poner (pusieron) $\rightarrow$ pusiera, pusieras, pusiera, pusiéramos...
- Hacer (hicieron) $\rightarrow$ hiciera, hicieras, hiciera, hiciéramos...
- Traer (trajeron) $\rightarrow$ trajera, trajeras, trajera, trajéramos...
- Saber (supieron) $\rightarrow$ supiera, supieras, supiera, supiéramos...
- Poder (pudieron) $\rightarrow$ pudiera, pudieras, pudiera, pudiéramos...
- Querer (quisieron) $\rightarrow$ quisiera, quisieras, quisiera, quisiéramos...
2. Sequence of Tenses (La Consecutio Temporum)
In complex sentences containing matrix clauses and subjunctive noun/adjective clauses, the tense of the subjunctive verb depends strictly on the tense of the main matrix verb.
Sequence of Tenses Matrix
| Main Clause Tense (Matrix Verb) | Dependent Clause Subjunctive Tense |
|---|---|
| Present Indicative (Quiero que...) | Present Subjunctive (...vengas.) |
| Future Indicative (Preferiré que...) | Present Subjunctive (...vengas.) |
| Present Perfect Indicative (He pedido que...) | Present Subjunctive (...vengas.) |
| Imperative Command (Pide que...) | Present Subjunctive (...vengas.) |
| Preterite Indicative (Quise que...) | Imperfect Subjunctive (...vinieras.) |
| Imperfect Indicative (Quería que...) | Imperfect Subjunctive (...vinieras.) |
| Pluperfect Indicative (Había querido que...) | Imperfect / Pluperfect Subjunctive (...vinieras / hubiera venido.) |
| Conditional Tense (Querría que...) | Imperfect Subjunctive (...vinieras.) |
Examples of Sequence in Action:
- Present: El profesor exige que los alumnos entreguen la tarea hoy. (Exige = Present $\rightarrow$ entreguen = Present Subjunctive)
- Past: El profesor exigió que los alumnos entregaran la tarea ayer. (Exigió = Preterite $\rightarrow$ entregaran = Imperfect Subjunctive)
- Imperfect: Era necesario que nosotros estudiáramos más. (Era = Imperfect $\rightarrow$ estudiáramos = Imperfect Subjunctive)
3. Hypothetical Conditionals: Si Clauses
Conditional sentences express conditions that must be met for actions to take place. On the CLEP Spanish exam, Si (if) clauses fall into three distinct structural patterns depending on degree of reality.
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| SI CLAUSE STRUCTURES |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Type 1: Real / Possible (Present Indicative + Future/Present)|
| Type 2: Present Contrary-to-Fact (Imperfect Subj + Cond) |
| Type 3: Past Contrary-to-Fact (Pluperfect Subj + Cond Perf) |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
Type 1: Real / Likely Conditions (Possible Future/Present)
- Formula: Si + Present Indicative, Future Indicative (or Present Indicative / Command)
- Example: Si tengo tiempo mañana, iré al cine contigo. (If I have time tomorrow, I will go to the movies with you.)
- Rule: The present subjunctive is NEVER used directly after si to state a possible condition!
Type 2: Contrary-to-Fact Present Conditions (Unreal / Hypothetical Now)
- Formula: Si + Imperfect Subjunctive, Conditional Tense
- Example: Si yo tuviera más dinero, compraría una casa en la playa. (If I had more money [right now], I would buy a house on the beach.)
- Inverted Order: Compraría una casa en la playa si yo tuviera más dinero.
- Rule: The conditional tense (compraría) is NEVER placed directly inside the si clause. It belongs in the result clause!
Type 3: Contrary-to-Fact Past Conditions (Unrealized Past)
- Formula: Si + Pluperfect Subjunctive (hubiera + past participle), Conditional Perfect (habría + past participle)
- Example: Si nosotros hubiéramos sabido la verdad, habríamos actuado de otra manera. (If we had known the truth, we would have acted differently.)
Summary Table of Si Clauses
| Condition Type | Condition Clause (Si...) | Result Clause (Main) | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1: Real | Si + Present Indicative | Future Indicative / Present | If I study, I will pass. |
| Type 2: Unreal Present | Si + Imperfect Subjunctive | Conditional Tense | If I studied, I would pass. |
| Type 3: Unreal Past | Si + Pluperfect Subjunctive | Conditional Perfect | If I had studied, I would have passed. |
4. Courtesy & Polite Expressions
The imperfect subjunctive forms of querer, poder, and deber are frequently used in simple main clauses to express extreme politeness or soften requests and advice:
- Quisiera un vaso de agua, por favor. (I would like a glass of water, please.)
- ¿Pudiera Ud. ayudarme con las maletas? (Could you please help me with the suitcases?)
- Ustedes debieran prestar más atención en clase. (You ought to pay more attention in class.)
What is the correct imperfect subjunctive form for nosotros with the irregular verb decir?
Which sentence correctly demonstrates a contrary-to-fact present hypothetical condition (Si clause)?
According to the rules of sequence of tenses (consecutio temporum), which verb form correctly completes: 'El director dudaba que los empleados _____ a tiempo'?