IR Verbs
Spanish: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 10.6.4
Regular ER Verbs
The imperfect 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, it is down to choice. Here is the example of 'vivir':
The stem
- To form the stem you take the 'ellos/ellas' form of the preterite tense, ending in 'ieron'.
- You take of the 'on' and add the endings.
- There are two sets of endings.
'Iera' endings
- Viviera - I was living.
- Vivieras - you were living.
- Viviera - he/she was living.
- Viviéramos - we were living.
- Vivierais - you were living.
- Vivieran - they were living.
'Iese' endings
- Viviese - I was living.
- Vivieses - you were living.
- Viviese - he/she was living.
- Viviésemos - we were living.
- Vivieseis - you were living.
- Viviesen - they were living.
Irregular IR Verbs
IR 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:
'Pedir'
- Pidiera/pidiese - I was asking for.
- Pidieras/pidieses - you were asking for.
- Pidiera/pidiese - he/she was asking for.
- Pidiéramos/pidiésemos - we were asking for.
- Pidierais/pidieseis - you were asking for.
- Pidieran/pidiesen - they were asking for.
'Conducir'
- Condujera/condujese - I was driving.
- Condujeras/condujeses - you were driving.
- Condujera/condujese - he/she was driving.
- Condujéramos/condujésemos - we were driving.
- Condujerais/condujeseis - you were driving.
- Condujeran/condujesen - they were driving.
'Dormir'
- Durmiera/durmiese - I was sleeping.
- Durmieras/durmieses - you were sleeping.
- Durmiera/durmiese - he/she was sleeping.
- Durmiéramos/durmiésemos - we were sleeping.
- Durmierais/durmieseis - you were sleeping.
- Durmieran/durmiesen - they were sleeping.
'Oír'
- Oyera/oyese - I used to hear.
- Oyeras/oyeses - you used to hear.
- Oyera/oyese - he/she used to hear.
- Oyéramos/oyésemos - we used to hear.
- Oyerais/oyeseis - you used to hear.
- Oyeran/oyesen - they used to hear.
Test yourself on IR Verbs
Which of these is not the correct form of 'vivir' in the imperfect subjunctive?
Which of these is NOT the correct form of 'recibir' in the imperfect subjunctive?
How do you say 'we were driving' in the imperfect subjunctive in Spanish?