ER Verbs
Spanish: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 10.6.2
Regular ER Verbs
The imperfect subjunctive stem is based on the 'ellos/ellas' form of the preterite tense. There are two sets of endings that are both widely used. It does not matter which endings you use. Here is the example of 'conocer':
The stem
- To form the stem you take the 'ellos/ellas' form of the preterite tense, ending in 'ieron'.
- You take off the 'ron' and add the endings.
- There are two sets of endings.
'Iera' endings
- Conociera (I knew).
- Conocieras (you knew).
- Conociera (he/she knew).
- Conociéramos (we knew).
- Conocierais (you knew).
- Conocieran (they knew).
'Iese' endings
- Conociese (I knew).
- Conocieses (you knew).
- Conociese (he/she knew).
- Conociésemos (we knew).
- Conocieseis (you knew).
- Conociesen (they knew).
Irregular ER Verbs
ER verbs that are irregular in the 'ellos/ellas' form of the preterite tense are irregular in the imperfect subjunctive. They have the same irregular stem as they have in the 'ellos/ellas' form of the preterite tense. Here are some examples:
'Caer'
- Cayera/cayese (I fell).
- Cayeras/cayeses (you fell).
- Cayera/cayese (he/she fell).
- Cayéramos/cayésemos (we fell).
- Cayerais/cayeseis (you fell).
- Cayeran/cayesen (they fell).
'Leer'
- Leyera/leyese (I read).
- Leyeras/leyeses (you read).
- Leyera/leyese (he/she read).
- Leyéramos/leyésemos (we read).
- Leyerais/leyeseis (you read).
- Leyeran/leyesen (they read).
Test yourself on ER Verbs
How do you say 'she ran' in the imperfect subjunctive?
How do you say 'we fell' in the imperfect subjunctive in Spanish?