Forms of the past subjunctive The past subjunctive (el imperfecto del subjuntivo) of all verbs is formed by dropping the –ron ending from the ustedes/ellos/ellas form of the preterite and adding the past subjunctive endings. © by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.

The nosotros/as form of the past subjunctive always has a written accent. © by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.

Estela dudaba de que su madre la ayudara a pagar un carro nuevo. Estela doubted that her mother would help her pay for a new car. A los dueños les sorprendió que vendieran más en enero que en diciembre. The owners were surprised that they sold more in January than in December. Ya hablé con el recepcionista y me recomendó que le escribiera al gerente. I already spoke to the receptionist and he recommended that I write to the manager. © by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.

Verbs that have stem changes, spelling changes, or irregularities in the ustedes/ellos/ellas form of the preterite also have them in all forms of the past subjunctive. © by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.

In Spain and some other parts of the Spanish-speaking world, the past subjunctive is commonly used with another set of endings (–se, –ses, –se, –semos, –seis, –sen). You will also see these forms in literary selections. La señora Medina exigió que le mandásemos el contrato para el viernes. La señora Medina exigió que le mandáramos el contrato para el viernes. Ms. Medina demanded that we send her the contract by Friday. Ms. Medina demanded that we send her the contract by Friday. © by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.

Uses of the past subjunctive The past subjunctive is required in the same situations as the present subjunctive, except that the point of reference is always in the past. When the verb in the main clause is in the past, the verb in the subordinate clause is in the past subjunctive. © by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.

PAST TIME PRESENT TIME El jefe sugiere que vayas a la reunión. El jefe sugirió que fueras a la reunión. The boss suggests that you go to the meeting. The boss suggested that you go to the meeting. Espero que ustedes no tengan problemas con el nuevo sistema. Esperaba que no tuvieran problemas con el nuevo sistema. I hope you won’t have any problems with the new system. I was hoping you wouldn’t have any problems with the new system. Buscamos a alguien que conozca bien el mercado. Buscábamos a alguien que conociera bien el mercado. We are looking for someone who knows the market well. We were looking for someone who knew the market well. Les mando mi currículum en caso de que haya un puesto disponible. Les mandé mi currículum en caso de que hubiera un puesto disponible. I’m sending them my résumé in case there is a position available. I sent them my résumé, in case there was a position available. © by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.

Use the past subjunctive after the expression como si (as if). Alfredo gasta dinero como si fuera millonario. Alfredo spends money as if he were a millionaire. El presidente habló de la economía como si no hubiera una recesión. The president talked about the economy as if there were no recession. Ella rechazó mi opinión como si no importara. She rejected my opinion as if it didn’t matter. © by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.

The past subjunctive is also commonly used with querer to make polite requests or to soften statements. Quisiera que me llames hoy. Quisiera hablar con usted. I would like you to call me today. I would like to speak with you. © by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.