AR Verbs
Spanish: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 10.6.1
Regular AR Verbs
The imperfect subjunctive stem is based on the 'ellos/ellas' form of the preterite tense. There are two sets of endings, it does not matter which endings you use, it is down to choice. Here is the example with 'cantar':
The stem
- To form the stem you take the 'ellos/ellas' form of the preterite tense, ending in 'aron'.
- You take of the 'ron' and add the endings.
- There are two sets of endings.
'Ara' endings
- Cantara - I sang.
- Cantaras - you sang.
- Cantara - he/she sang.
- Cantáramos - we sang.
- Cantarais - you sang.
- Cantaran - they sang.
'Ase' endings
- Cantase - I sang.
- Cantases - you sang.
- Cantase - he/she sang.
- Cantásemos - we sang.
- Cantaseis - you sang.
- Cantasen - they sang.
Irregular AR Verbs
All the strong preterites are irregular in the imperfect subjunctive. Their imperfect stem is formed from their irregular 'ellos/ellas' form in the preterite. You just remove the 'ron' and add the imperfect subjunctive endings.
Andar - to walk
- Anduviera/anduviese - I walked.
- Anduvieras/anduvieses - you walked.
- Anduviera/anduviese - he/she walked.
- Anduviéramos/anduviésemos - we walked.
- Anduvierais/anduvieseis - you walked.
- Anduvieran/anduviesen - they walked.
Estar - to be
- Estuviera/estuviese - I was.
- Estuvieras/estuvieses - you were.
- Estuviera/estuviese - he/she was.
- Estuviéramos/estuviésemos - we were.
- Estuvierais/estuvieseis - you were.
- Estuvieran/estuviesen - they were.
Dar - to give
- Diera/diese - I gave.
- Dieras/dieses - you gave.
- Diera/diese - he/she gave.
- Diéramos/diésemos - we gave.
- Dierais/dievseis= - you gave.
- Dieran/diesen - they gave.
Test yourself on AR Verbs
Which of these is NOT the correct form of the imperfect subjunctive?
How do you say 'they walked' in the imperfect subjunctive in Spanish?
How do you say 'we gave' in the imperfect subjunctive?