Spanish Irregular Imperfect Subjunctive: -ra vs. -se

Mastering the Spanish imperfect subjunctive is crucial for expressing hypothetical situations, desires, and polite requests. The irregular verbs, with their unique stem changes, can be particularly challenging.

Understanding the nuances between the ‘-ra’ and ‘-se’ forms is essential for fluency and accuracy. This article provides a comprehensive guide to Spanish irregular imperfect subjunctive stems, focusing on the differences between the ‘-ra’ and ‘-se’ endings, their usage, and how to effectively incorporate them into your Spanish.

This guide is designed for intermediate to advanced Spanish learners who want to refine their understanding of the subjunctive mood. By the end of this article, you will be able to confidently identify and use irregular imperfect subjunctive forms, choose the appropriate ‘-ra’ or ‘-se’ ending, and avoid common mistakes.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of the Imperfect Subjunctive
3. Structural Breakdown
4. Irregular Stems in the Imperfect Subjunctive
5. ‘-ra’ vs. ‘-se’ Forms: Differences and Usage
6. Examples of Irregular Imperfect Subjunctive Verbs
7. Usage Rules and Contexts
8. Common Mistakes
9. Practice Exercises
10. Advanced Topics
11. FAQ
12. Conclusion

Definition of the Imperfect Subjunctive

The imperfect subjunctive is a verb tense in Spanish used to express hypothetical or uncertain situations, often in the past, present, or future. It is typically found in subordinate clauses that depend on a main clause expressing doubt, desire, possibility, or emotion.

The imperfect subjunctive is formed from the third-person plural preterite (past simple) form of the verb.

The imperfect subjunctive has two possible endings: -ra and -se. While both forms are generally interchangeable in modern Spanish, there are subtle stylistic and regional preferences. Understanding their formation and usage is key to mastering more complex sentence structures.

The imperfect subjunctive is essential for conveying nuanced meanings in hypothetical scenarios, expressing politeness, and discussing past events with an element of uncertainty or subjectivity. This tense allows for more sophisticated and accurate communication. It is often used with conjunctions like si (if), para que (so that), a menos que (unless), and en caso de que (in case that).

Structural Breakdown

The imperfect subjunctive is derived from the third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) form of the preterite (past simple). Remove the ‘-ron’ ending from the preterite form, and then add either the ‘-ra’ or ‘-se’ endings. The choice between ‘-ra’ and ‘-se’ is generally stylistic, although certain regions or speakers may prefer one over the other.

Here’s a breakdown of the formation:

1. Identify the verb in its infinitive form (e.g., tener – to have).
2. Conjugate the verb in the preterite, third-person plural (tuvieron – they had).
3. Remove the ‘-ron’ ending (tuvie-).
4. Add the imperfect subjunctive endings:
• -ra: tuviera, tuvieras, tuviera, tuviéramos, tuvierais, tuvieran
• -se: tuviese, tuvieses, tuviese, tuviésemos, tuvieseis, tuviesen

The following table shows how the imperfect subjunctive endings are added to the stem:

Pronoun	-ra Ending	-se Ending
Yo	-ra	-se
Tú	-ras	-ses
Él/Ella/Usted	-ra	-se
Nosotros/Nosotras	-ramos	-semos
Vosotros/Vosotras	-rais	-seis
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	-ran	-sen

Irregular Stems in the Imperfect Subjunctive

Many verbs have irregular stems in the preterite, and these irregularities carry over to the imperfect subjunctive. Recognizing these stem changes is crucial for correct conjugation. Some common irregular verbs include ser, estar, tener, poder, poner, saber, hacer, decir, venir, querer, and ir.

The stem changes typically involve vowel alterations or the addition of consonants. For example, the verb tener (to have) has the irregular preterite stem tuv-. Therefore, the imperfect subjunctive forms are tuviera/tuviese, tuvieras/tuvieses, etc.

Below are some of the most common irregular verbs and their stems in the imperfect subjunctive:

Infinitive	Preterite (ellos/ellas/ustedes)	Imperfect Subjunctive Stem
Ser	Fueron	Fuer-
Estar	Estuvieron	Estuv-
Tener	Tuvieron	Tuv-
Poder	Pudieron	Pud-
Poner	Pusieron	Pus-
Saber	Supieron	Sup-
Hacer	Hicieron	Hic-
Decir	Dijeron	Dij-
Venir	Vinieron	Vin-
Querer	Quisieron	Quis-
Ir	Fueron	Fuer-
Traer	Trajeron	Traj-

‘-ra’ vs. ‘-se’ Forms: Differences and Usage

The ‘-ra’ and ‘-se’ forms of the imperfect subjunctive are generally interchangeable in modern Spanish. However, there are some nuances and regional preferences that influence their usage.

Historically, the ‘-ra’ form was more commonly used to express hypothetical situations and conditional clauses, specifically in conjunction with the conditional tense. The ‘-se’ form was more often used in subordinate clauses expressing doubt, desire, or emotion.

However, this distinction has largely faded over time.

In contemporary Spanish, the ‘-ra’ form is sometimes preferred in literature and formal writing, while the ‘-se’ form is often perceived as slightly more formal or archaic. In some Latin American countries, the ‘-ra’ form is also used as an alternative to the conditional tense, particularly in spoken language.

This usage is generally considered informal and should be avoided in formal writing.

The following table summarizes the main differences and usage considerations for the ‘-ra’ and ‘-se’ forms:

Feature	-ra Form	-se Form
Interchangeability	Generally interchangeable with ‘-se’	Generally interchangeable with ‘-ra’
Historical Usage	Hypothetical situations, conditional clauses	Doubt, desire, emotion
Modern Usage	Literature, formal writing; Conditional tense replacement (informal, Latin America)	Formal, archaic
Regional Preferences	More common in some Latin American regions	Less regional variation

Examples of Irregular Imperfect Subjunctive Verbs

This section provides extensive examples of irregular verbs conjugated in both the ‘-ra’ and ‘-se’ forms of the imperfect subjunctive. These examples will help to solidify your understanding of the stem changes and the application of the subjunctive endings.

Ser (to be)

The verb ser has the irregular stem fuer- in the imperfect subjunctive.

Pronoun	-ra Form	-se Form	Example Sentence (-ra)	Example Sentence (-se)
Yo	Fuera	Fuese	Si yo fuera rico, viajaría por el mundo.	Si yo fuese rico, viajaría por el mundo.
Tú	Fueras	Fueses	Dudaba que tú fueras el culpable.	Dudaba que tú fueses el culpable.
Él/Ella/Usted	Fuera	Fuese	Quería que él fuera más honesto.	Quería que él fuese más honesto.
Nosotros/Nosotras	Fuéramos	Fuésemos	Ojalá que nosotros fuéramos jóvenes otra vez.	Ojalá que nosotros fuésemos jóvenes otra vez.
Vosotros/Vosotras	Fuerais	Fueseis	No creía que vosotros fuerais tan valientes.	No creía que vosotros fueseis tan valientes.
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	Fueran	Fuesen	Era importante que ellos fueran puntuales.	Era importante que ellos fuesen puntuales.

Estar (to be)

The verb estar has the irregular stem estuv- in the imperfect subjunctive.

Pronoun	-ra Form	-se Form	Example Sentence (-ra)	Example Sentence (-se)
Yo	Estuviera	Estuviese	Si estuviera en casa, te llamaría.	Si estuviese en casa, te llamaría.
Tú	Estuvieras	Estuvieses	No pensaba que estuvieras enfermo.	No pensaba que estuvieses enfermo.
Él/Ella/Usted	Estuviera	Estuviese	Le sorprendió que estuviera tan callado.	Le sorprendió que estuviese tan callado.
Nosotros/Nosotras	Estuviéramos	Estuviésemos	Quería que estuviéramos todos juntos.	Quería que estuviésemos todos juntos.
Vosotros/Vosotras	Estuvierais	Estuvieseis	Dudaba que estuvierais preparados.	Dudaba que estuvieseis preparados.
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	Estuvieran	Estuviesen	Era necesario que estuvieran presentes.	Era necesario que estuviesen presentes.

Tener (to have)

The verb tener has the irregular stem tuv- in the imperfect subjunctive.

Pronoun	-ra Form	-se Form	Example Sentence (-ra)	Example Sentence (-se)
Yo	Tuviera	Tuviese	Si tuviera más tiempo, viajaría.	Si tuviese más tiempo, viajaría.
Tú	Tuvieras	Tuvieses	No creía que tuvieras tantos problemas.	No creía que tuvieses tantos problemas.
Él/Ella/Usted	Tuviera	Tuviese	Ojalá tuviera la oportunidad de verlo.	Ojalá tuviese la oportunidad de verlo.
Nosotros/Nosotras	Tuviéramos	Tuviésemos	Quería que tuviéramos una casa en la playa.	Quería que tuviésemos una casa en la playa.
Vosotros/Vosotras	Tuvierais	Tuvieseis	No pensaba que tuvierais esa capacidad.	No pensaba que tuvieseis esa capacidad.
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	Tuvieran	Tuviesen	Era importante que tuvieran todo listo.	Era importante que tuviesen todo listo.

Poder (to be able to)

The verb poder has the irregular stem pud- in the imperfect subjunctive.

Pronoun	-ra Form	-se Form	Example Sentence (-ra)	Example Sentence (-se)
Yo	Pudiera	Pudiese	Si yo pudiera volar, sería genial.	Si yo pudiese volar, sería genial.
Tú	Pudieras	Pudieses	Dudaba que tú pudieras resolver el problema.	Dudaba que tú pudieses resolver el problema.
Él/Ella/Usted	Pudiera	Pudiese	Quería que él pudiera venir a la fiesta.	Quería que él pudiese venir a la fiesta.
Nosotros/Nosotras	Pudiéramos	Pudiésemos	Ojalá que nosotros pudiéramos ir de vacaciones.	Ojalá que nosotros pudiésemos ir de vacaciones.
Vosotros/Vosotras	Pudierais	Pudieseis	No creía que vosotros pudierais hacerlo solos.	No creía que vosotros pudieseis hacerlo solos.
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	Pudieran	Pudiesen	Era importante que ellos pudieran entender la situación.	Era importante que ellos pudiesen entender la situación.

Hacer (to do/make)

The verb hacer has the irregular stem hic- in the imperfect subjunctive.

Pronoun	-ra Form	-se Form	Example Sentence (-ra)	Example Sentence (-se)
Yo	Hiciera	Hiciese	Si yo hiciera lo correcto, estaría tranquilo.	Si yo hiciese lo correcto, estaría tranquilo.
Tú	Hicieras	Hicieses	No pensaba que tú hicieras eso.	No pensaba que tú hicieses eso.
Él/Ella/Usted	Hiciera	Hiciese	Le sorprendió que él hiciera un buen trabajo.	Le sorprendió que él hiciese un buen trabajo.
Nosotros/Nosotras	Hiciéramos	Hiciésemos	Quería que nosotros hiciéramos una fiesta.	Quería que nosotros hiciésemos una fiesta.
Vosotros/Vosotras	Hicierais	Hicieseis	Dudaba que vosotros hicierais todo el trabajo.	Dudaba que vosotros hicieseis todo el trabajo.
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	Hicieran	Hiciesen	Era necesario que ellos hicieran un esfuerzo.	Era necesario que ellos hiciesen un esfuerzo.

Usage Rules and Contexts

The imperfect subjunctive is primarily used in subordinate clauses, especially after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty. It is also commonly used in conditional sentences with the conjunction si (if).

Here are some key contexts where the imperfect subjunctive is used:

• Expressions of Doubt/Uncertainty: Dudar que (to doubt that), no creer que (to not believe that), no pensar que (to not think that).
• Expressions of Desire/Emotion: Querer que (to want that), desear que (to wish that), esperar que (to hope that), sentir que (to regret that).
• Impersonal Expressions: Era importante que (it was important that), era necesario que (it was necessary that), era posible que (it was possible that).
• Conditional Sentences: Used in the si clause to express a hypothetical condition.
• Polite Requests/Suggestions: Using verbs like querer or poder in the imperfect subjunctive makes a request more polite.

Here are some example sentences illustrating these usage rules:

• Dudaba que viniera a la fiesta. (I doubted that he would come to the party.)
• Quería que estuvieras aquí conmigo. (I wanted you to be here with me.)
• Era importante que llegaras a tiempo. (It was important that you arrived on time.)
• Si tuviera dinero, compraría un coche nuevo. (If I had money, I would buy a new car.)
• Quisiera saber más sobre este tema. (I would like to know more about this topic.)

Common Mistakes

One of the most common mistakes is confusing the imperfect subjunctive with other subjunctive tenses, such as the present subjunctive or the perfect subjunctive. It’s essential to understand the temporal nuances of each tense.

Another common error is using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive after expressions that require the subjunctive. For example, saying “Dudo que él viene” (I doubt that he comes) is incorrect; the correct form is “Dudo que él venga“ (I doubt that he comes/will come – present subjunctive) or “Dudaba que él viniera/viniese“ (I doubted that he came/would come – imperfect subjunctive).

Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Dudo que él viene.	Dudo que él venga. (Present Subjunctive) OR Dudaba que él viniera/viniese (Imperfect Subjunctive).	The verb after “dudar que” must be in the subjunctive mood.
Si tendría dinero, viajaría.	Si tuviera dinero, viajaría.	The “si” clause requires the imperfect subjunctive, not the conditional.
Quería que estabas aquí.	Quería que estuvieras aquí.	The verb after “querer que” must be in the subjunctive mood.
Es importante que llegas temprano.	Es importante que llegues temprano. (Present Subjunctive) OR Era importante que llegaras/llegases temprano. (Imperfect Subjunctive).	The verb after “es importante que” must be in the subjunctive mood.

Practice Exercises

These exercises will help you practice conjugating irregular verbs in the imperfect subjunctive and using them in context. Choose the correct imperfect subjunctive form of the verb in parentheses, using either the ‘-ra’ or ‘-se’ ending.

Both are provided as answers.

Exercise 1: Conjugation Practice

1. Si yo (tener) _______ más tiempo, leería más libros. (tuviera/tuviese)
2. No creía que tú (hacer) _______ eso. (hicieras/hicieses)
3. Quería que él (estar) _______ contento con su regalo. (estuviera/estuviese)
4. Ojalá que nosotros (poder) _______ viajar a España el próximo año. (pudiéramos/pudiésemos)
5. Dudaba que vosotros (venir) _______ a la fiesta. (vinierais/vinieseis)
6. Era importante que ellos (decir) _______ la verdad. (dijeran/dijesen)
7. Si usted (saber) _______ la respuesta, nos ayudaría. (supiera/supiese)
8. No pensaba que ella (poner) _______ tanta atención. (pusiera/pusiese)
9. Quisiera que nosotros (ser) _______ más pacientes. (fuéramos/fuésemos)
10. Si ellos (querer) _______ , podrían lograrlo. (quisieran/quisiesen)

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences with the correct imperfect subjunctive form of the verb in parentheses.

1. Si yo (ser) _______ tú, aceptaría el trabajo. (fuera/fuese)
2. No creía que ella (ir) _______ al cine sola. (fuera/fuese)
3. Quería que nosotros (tener) _______ una buena relación. (tuviéramos/tuviésemos)
4. Dudaba que ellos (poder) _______ terminar el proyecto a tiempo. (pudieran/pudiesen)
5. Era importante que tú (hacer) _______ la tarea. (hicieras/hicieses)
6. Si nosotros (venir) _______ antes, habríamos visto la película. (viniéramos/viniésemos)
7. No pensaba que usted (decir) _______ eso. (dijera/dijese)
8. Quisiera que ellos (poner) _______ más atención. (pusieran/pusiesen)
9. Si ella (saber) _______ la verdad, estaría triste. (supiera/supiese)
10. Dudaba que vosotros (estar) _______ listos. (estuvierais/estuvieseis)

Exercise 3: Translation

Translate the following sentences into Spanish, using the imperfect subjunctive where appropriate.

1. If I had more money, I would travel the world. (Si yo tuviera/tuviese más dinero, viajaría por el mundo.)
2. I doubted that she was telling the truth. (Dudaba que ella dijera/dijese la verdad.)
3. He wanted us to be happy. (Quería que nosotros fuéramos/fuésemos felices.)
4. It was important that you arrived on time. (Era importante que tú llegaras/llegases a tiempo.)
5. If they could, they would help us. (Si ellos pudieran/pudiesen, nos ayudarían.)
6. I didn’t think that you would do that. (No pensaba que tú hicieras/hicieses eso.)
7. She wished that we had a car. (Ella deseaba que nosotros tuviéramos/tuviésemos un coche.)
8. It was necessary that they were present. (Era necesario que ellos estuvieran/estuviesen presentes.)
9. If I were you, I would accept the offer. (Si yo fuera/fuese tú, aceptaría la oferta.)
10. I doubted that he knew the answer. (Dudaba que él supiera/supiese la respuesta.)

Answer Key

Exercise 1

1. tuviera/tuviese
2. hicieras/hicieses
3. estuviera/estuviese
4. pudiéramos/pudiésemos
5. vinierais/vinieseis
6. dijeran/dijesen
7. supiera/supiese
8. pusiera/pusiese
9. fuéramos/fuésemos
10. quisieran/quisiesen

Exercise 2

1. fuera/fuese
2. fuera/fuese
3. tuviéramos/tuviésemos
4. pudieran/pudiesen
5. hicieras/hicieses
6. viniéramos/viniésemos
7. dijera/dijese
8. pusieran/pusiesen
9. supiera/supiese
10. estuvierais/estuvieseis

Exercise 3

1. Si yo tuviera/tuviese más dinero, viajaría por el mundo.
2. Dudaba que ella dijera/dijese la verdad.
3. Quería que nosotros fuéramos/fuésemos felices.
4. Era importante que tú llegaras/llegases a tiempo.
5. Si ellos pudieran/pudiesen, nos ayudarían.
6. No pensaba que tú hicieras/hicieses eso.
7. Ella deseaba que nosotros tuviéramos/tuviésemos un coche.
8. Era necesario que ellos estuvieran/estuviesen presentes.
9. Si yo fuera/fuese tú, aceptaría la oferta.
10. Dudaba que él supiera/supiese la respuesta.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, it’s important to understand the historical context and stylistic nuances of the ‘-ra’ and ‘-se’ forms more deeply. While interchangeability is generally accepted, some purists argue for preserving the original distinctions in formal writing.

Another advanced topic is the use of the ‘-ra’ form as a substitute for the conditional tense in certain Latin American dialects. While common in spoken language, this usage is generally discouraged in formal writing and should be approached with caution.

Furthermore, exploring the use of the imperfect subjunctive in complex sentence structures involving multiple subordinate clauses can further enhance your understanding and fluency.

FAQ

1. Q: Are the ‘-ra’ and ‘-se’ forms always interchangeable?

   A: Generally, yes. In modern Spanish, both forms are widely considered interchangeable, especially in spoken language. However, some stylistic and regional preferences exist, with the ‘-ra’ form sometimes favored in literature and some Latin American dialects, and the ‘-se’ form perceived as slightly more formal or archaic.

2. Q: Is it better to use ‘-ra’ or ‘-se’ in formal writing?

   A: Both are acceptable in formal writing. The ‘-ra’ form might be slightly more common in some contexts, but the choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations. Consistency is key; choose one form and stick with it throughout your writing.

3. Q: Can I use the ‘-ra’ form instead of the conditional tense?

   A: In some Latin American countries, the ‘-ra’ form is used colloquially as a substitute for the conditional tense. However, this usage is generally considered informal and should be avoided in formal writing. It’s best to use the conditional tense (e.g., viajaría) in formal contexts.

4. Q: How do I identify the irregular stem for the imperfect subjunctive?

   A: The irregular stem is derived from the third-person plural preterite (past simple) form of the verb. Remove the ‘-ron’ ending from the preterite form, and the remaining stem is used to form the imperfect subjunctive. For example, the preterite of tener is tuvieron; removing ‘-ron’ gives you the stem tuv-.

5. Q: What are some common expressions that require the imperfect subjunctive?

   A: Common expressions include dudar que (to doubt that), no creer que (to not believe that), querer que (to want that), desear que (to wish that), era importante que (it was important that), and si (if) in conditional sentences.

6. Q: What’s the difference between the present subjunctive and the imperfect subjunctive?

   A: The present subjunctive is used for present or future hypothetical situations, while the imperfect subjunctive is used for past, present, or future hypothetical situations, often in the context of past actions or conditions. The choice depends on the tense of the main clause and the temporal relationship between the clauses.

7. Q: How can I practice using the imperfect subjunctive effectively?

   A: Practice conjugating irregular verbs in the imperfect subjunctive, create your own sentences using common expressions that require the subjunctive, and read Spanish texts to observe how the imperfect subjunctive is used in context. Also, try translating sentences from English to Spanish, focusing on situations that require the imperfect subjunctive.

8. Q: What if I forget the irregular stem of a verb?

   A: If you forget the irregular stem, consult a verb conjugation table or a Spanish grammar reference. With practice, you’ll become more familiar with the common irregular stems. You can also use online conjugation tools to quickly find the correct forms.

Conclusion

Mastering the Spanish imperfect subjunctive, particularly the irregular verbs and the nuances between the ‘-ra’ and ‘-se’ forms, is a significant step towards achieving fluency and accuracy in Spanish. While the interchangeability of these forms simplifies usage, understanding their historical context and stylistic preferences adds depth to your linguistic knowledge.

Remember to practice regularly, focusing on identifying irregular stems and using the imperfect subjunctive in various contexts. By incorporating these forms into your writing and speaking, you will be able to express more complex and nuanced ideas in Spanish.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – they are a natural part of the learning process. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon master this challenging but rewarding aspect of Spanish grammar.

With consistent effort and attention to detail, you can confidently navigate the complexities of the Spanish imperfect subjunctive and enhance your overall command of the language. Continue exploring advanced topics and seeking opportunities to apply your knowledge in real-world situations to further refine your skills.