Level B2Verbs & TensesGramática 9.2.2

Imperfect subjunctive: hablara

that he spoke / if he spoke

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that he spoke / if he spoke

Drop the -ron of the preterite ellos form and add -ra (or -se): hablaron → hablara, tuvieron → tuviera. It sits in past wishes and in si-clauses for unreal now.

Notice the contrast:Quiero que hableQuería que hablara

Examples in context

Read the examples and compare their English meanings.

Past Desire / Doubt

Past trigger demands the -ra ending.

Quería que vinieras a mi fiesta.

I wanted you to come to my party.

Hypothetical Si-Clause

Pairs with conditional in unreal now.

Si tuviera dinero, viajaría por el mundo.

If I had money, I would travel the world.

Common mix-ups

Compare: Quería que tú viniera conmigo.Use here: Quería que tú vinieras conmigo.

The tú form ends in -ras (vinieras) or -ses (vinieses). Viniera is a yo or él/ella/usted form.

I wanted you to come with me.

Try a reply

Say or write your answer in Spanish before opening the example.

I wanted you to open the window. Address one friend.

Show one possible answer

Quería que abrieras la ventana.

Other wording can work too. Compare the verb form, agreement, and word order with the lesson. Then try a sentence about your own day.

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