For the imperfect subjunctive, we will still follow many of the principals for the present subjunctive with the use of “WEIRDO” e.g. the expression of will/emotion/doubt etc.

The key difference to triggering the imperfect subjunctive is that our initial clause will be a past tense.

The imperfect subjunctive will usually refer to a past experience but can also refer to doubts, unlikely possibilities or events.

There are 2 sets of endings for the imperfect subjunctive; one is more widely used (the ”-ra” endings). Pick one to learn and use, consistency is key, but learn to recognise the other one.

To form the imperfect subjunctive:

  • Find the 3rd person plural of the preterite tense (ellos/ellas/Ustedes form). We use this form because this formula will work for both regular and irregular verb forms.
  • Remove “-ron” from this verb.
  • Add the appropriate ending.
  Ending 1 Ending 2
  -AR/ER/IR -AR/ER/IR
yo -ra -se
tu -ras -ses
el/ella/Usted -ra -se
nosotr@s -ramos* -semos*
vosotr@s -rais -seis
ell@s/Ustedes -ron -sen

*Note that the nosotr@s form will require a tilde on the preceding -a or -e, e.g cantáramos or cantásemos; or comiéramos or comiésemos.

To use the imperfect subjunctive in an “if” clause you can use the following formula:
Si + imperfect subjunctive + conditional tense OR conditional tense + si + imperfect subjunctive. E.g. If I won the lottery, I would buy a house. → Si ganara la lotería, compraría una casa.

You can also use the imperfect subjunctive to express opinions that you currently have about past events. E.g. Es bueno que terminaras/ases la tarea – it’s good that you finished the task.

It can be used to politely request something. E.g. Quisiera una habitación – I would like a room.

Ojalá and ojalá que are often used with the imperfect subjunctive to reflect unlikely scenarios. E.g. Ojalá que hiciera calor en Inglaterra.