acontecer Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
acontecer — to happen
The imperfect subjunctive uses the stem acontecie- followed by endings like -ra or -se.
acontecer Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this for hypothetical situations in the past or in 'if' clauses (e.g., 'If this were to happen...'). It is common in storytelling and formal reporting.
Notes on acontecer in the Imperfect Subjunctive
The stem is based on the preterite third-person plural (acontecieron). It is regular within the logic of -er verbs in this tense.
Example Sentences
Si aconteciera una emergencia, llamaríamos a la policía.
If an emergency were to happen, we would call the police.
él/ella/usted
Me sorprendió que acontecieran tantas cosas a la vez.
It surprised me that so many things happened at once.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Si aconteciese lo peor, estaríamos preparados.
If the worst should happen, we would be prepared.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: acontecería
Correct: aconteciera
Why: Learners often use the conditional where the subjunctive is required in 'if' clauses.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: acontezco
The present indicative features a 'c' to 'zc' change only in the 'yo' form: acontezco.
Preterite
yo: acontecí
The preterite of acontecer describes a specific event that took place: acontecí, aconteciste, aconteció.
Imperfect
yo: acontecía
The imperfect of acontecer is regular: acontecía, acontecías, acontecía.
Future
yo: aconteceré
The future tense is regular: aconteceré, acontecerás, acontecerá.
Conditional
yo: acontecería
The conditional is regular: acontecería, acontecerías, acontecería.
Present Subjunctive
yo: acontezca
The present subjunctive of acontecer uses the stem acontezc- to handle the 'c' to 'zc' change.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: acontece
The imperative of acontecer is rarely used, but follows the 'c' to 'zc' change in formal commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no acontezcas
The negative imperative uses the present subjunctive forms: no acontezcas, no acontezca.