abusar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
abusar — to take advantage of
The imperfect subjunctive of abusar (e.g., abusara, abusaras) is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
abusar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is for hypothetical situations, wishes, or polite requests in the past. For 'abusar,' you might talk about a situation where someone *would have* taken advantage, or express a wish that they *hadn't*.
Notes on abusar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
The imperfect subjunctive of 'abusar' is regular. The stem 'abusar-' is followed by the standard endings for the -ra or -se forms. Both are common, but the -ra form is generally preferred.
Example Sentences
Si yo abusara de su paciencia, me lo diría.
If I took advantage of his patience, he would tell me.
yo
Ojalá no abusaran de la situación.
I wish they wouldn't take advantage of the situation.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Me pidió que no abusara de la oportunidad.
He asked me not to take advantage of the opportunity.
él/ella/usted
Si vosotros abusarais de mí, me iría.
If you all took advantage of me, I would leave.
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive in 'if' clauses.
Correct: For past hypotheticals, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si abusara...', not 'Si abusó...'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is specifically for unreal or hypothetical conditions in the past.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both forms are correct, but be consistent: 'abusara' or 'abusase'.
Why: While interchangeable, learners sometimes mix them up within the same sentence.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: abuso
The present tense of abusar (abuso, abusas, abusa) describes current or habitual actions of taking advantage.
Preterite
yo: abusé
The preterite of abusar (abusé, abusaste, abusó) marks completed actions of taking advantage in the past.
Imperfect
yo: abusaba
The imperfect of abusar (abusaba, abusabas) describes habitual or ongoing past actions of taking advantage.
Future
yo: abusaré
The future tense of abusar (abusaré, abusarás) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: abusaría
The conditional of abusar (abusaría, abusarías) expresses 'would' actions or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: abuse
The present subjunctive of abusar (abuse, abuses, abusen) follows expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: abusa
Use 'abusa' (tú) and 'abuse' (usted/ustedes) for direct commands with abusar.
Negative Imperative
yo: no abuses
Negative commands with 'abusar' use the present subjunctive with 'no', like 'no abuses'.