acaparar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
acaparar — to hoard
The imperfect subjunctive of acaparar (acaparara, acaparasen) is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
acaparar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
The imperfect subjunctive of 'acaparar' is used for hypothetical situations in the past, unlikely conditions, or polite requests related to hoarding. For instance, 'If I hoarded too much...' or 'I wish you wouldn't hoard...'.
Notes on acaparar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
'Acaparar' is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms are correct, though the -ra form is more common in everyday speech.
Example Sentences
Si yo acaparara tantos libros, mi casa no cabría.
If I hoarded so many books, my house wouldn't fit them.
yo
Me gustaría que no acaparasen toda la comida.
I would like you not to hoard all the food.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Él actuaría diferente si no acaparara los recursos.
He would act differently if he didn't hoard the resources.
él/ella/usted
¿Y si acaparáramos más provisiones?
What if we hoarded more provisions?
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: In hypothetical 'if' clauses about the past, use 'acaparara' or 'acaparase', not 'acaparaba'.
Why: The indicative describes facts or realities, while the subjunctive is needed for unreal or hypothetical conditions.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both 'acaparara' and 'acaparase' are correct imperfect subjunctive forms.
Why: While both are valid, learners might incorrectly think only one is acceptable or struggle to conjugate both sets.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: acaparo
The present indicative of acaparar is regular: acaparo, acaparas, acapara, acaparamos, acaparís, acaparan.
Preterite
yo: acaparé
The preterite of acaparar is regular: acaparé, acaparaste, acaparó, acaparamos, acaparasteis, acapararon.
Imperfect
yo: acaparaba
The imperfect of acaparar (acaparaba, acaparaban) describes habitual or ongoing past hoarding.
Future
yo: acapararé
The future tense of acaparar is regular: acapararé, acapararás, acaparará, acapararemos, acapararéis, acapararán.
Conditional
yo: acapararía
The conditional of acaparar is regular: acapararía, acapararías, acapararía, acapararíamos, acapararíais, acapararian.
Present Subjunctive
yo: acapare
The present subjunctive of acaparar (acapare, acaparen) follows expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: acapara
The imperative of acaparar has regular commands like ¡acapara! (tú) and ¡acaparen! (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no acapares
Negative commands for acaparar use 'no' plus the present subjunctive, like 'no acapares' (tú) and 'no acaparen' (ustedes).