Lesson Topics
Imperfect Subjunctive III
- The written lesson is below.
- Links to quizzes, tests, etc. are to the left.
In the Imperfect Subjunctive II, you learned how to conjugate verbs in the Imperfect Subjunctive, using both types of conjugations, the -A type and the -SE type.
In this lesson we will be covering the imperfect subjunctive of stem-changing verbs.
We know that in Spanish there are three kinds of verbs according to their ending:
1. -ar verbs
2. -er verbs
3. -ir verbs
-ar and -er verbs do not change the stem in the preterite. Therefore, there is no change in the stem of the imperfect subjunctive:
| Repasar (to review) | Barrer (to sweep) | |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd person plural | repasaron | barrieron |
| Therefore the stem is: | repasar | barrier |
| yo | repasara | barriera |
| tú | repasaras | barrieras |
| él/ella/Ud. | repasara | barriera |
| nosotros | repasáramos | barriéramos |
| vosotros | repasarais | barrierais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | repasaran | barrieran |
-ir verbs, however, change the stem in the preterite in both the third person singular and plural. Therefore, the spelling of the imperfect subjunctive is affected.
There are three different stem-changing groups within the -ir verbs:
1. e>ie stem-changing -ir verbs: the e of the stem changes into i in the third person plural of the preterite.
| Sentir (to feel) | |
|---|---|
| 3rd person plural | sintieron |
| Therefore the stem is: | sintier |
| yo | sintiera |
| tú | sintieras |
| él/ella/Ud. | sintiera |
| nosotros | sintiéramos |
| vosotros | sintierais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | sintieran |
If there are two es in the stem, it is the second e that changes:
| Preferir (to prefer) | |
|---|---|
| 3rd person plural | prefirieron |
| Therefore the stem is: | prefirier |
| yo | prefiriera |
| tú | prefirieras |
| él/ella/Ud. | prefiriera |
| nosotros | prefiriéramos |
| vosotros | prefirierais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | prefirieran |
2. e>i stem-changing -ir verbs: the e of the stem changes into an i.
| Pedir(to ask for) | |
|---|---|
| 3rd person plural | pidieron |
| Therefore the stem is: | pidier |
| yo | pidiera |
| tú | pidieras |
| él/ella/Ud. | pidiera |
| nosotros | pidiéramos |
| vosotros | pidierais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | pidieran |
If there are two es in the stem, it is the second e that changes:
| Repetir(to repeat) | |
|---|---|
| 3rd person plural | repitieron |
| Therefore the stem is: | repitier |
| yo | repitiera |
| tú | repitieras |
| él/ella/Ud. | repitiera |
| nosotros | repitiéramos |
| vosotros | repitierais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | repitieran |
3. o>u stem-changing -ir verbs: the o of the stem changes to u.
| Dormir(to sleep) | |
|---|---|
| 3rd person plural | durmieron |
| Therefore the stem is: | durmier |
| yo | durmiera |
| tú | durmieras |
| él/ella/Ud. | durmiera |
| nosotros | durmiéramos |
| vosotros | durmierais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | durmieran |
