adelantar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
adelantar — to overtake
The imperfect subjunctive of adelantar (e.g., 'adelantara', 'adelantaras') is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
adelantar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion in the past, or in 'if' clauses referring to unreal or unlikely situations. For 'adelantar,' you might say 'Ojalá pudiera adelantar mi viaje' (I wish I could move my trip forward) or 'Si adelantáramos la fecha, tendríamos mejor clima' (If we moved the date forward, we'd have better weather).
Notes on adelantar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Adelantar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se endings are possible (e.g., 'adelantara' or 'adelantase'), but the -ra form is generally more common and preferred in many regions.
Example Sentences
Quería que adelantaras el informe para el viernes.
I wanted you to move the report forward to Friday.
tú
Si yo adelantara la fecha de la boda, ¿vendrían todos?
If I moved the wedding date forward, would everyone come?
yo
Me pidió que no adelantáramos la discusión.
He asked me not to bring up the discussion.
nosotros
Sería genial si ellos adelantaran el proyecto.
It would be great if they moved the project forward.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite or imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: In conditional sentences like 'If I moved...', use 'Si yo adelantara...' not 'Si yo adelanté...' or 'Si yo adelantaba...'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is required after 'si' for hypothetical situations.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: While both are technically correct, 'adelantara' is generally more common than 'adelantase' for most speakers.
Why: Regional preferences and common usage favor the -ra endings in many Spanish-speaking areas.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'adelantar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: adelanto
The present tense of 'adelantar' (adelanto, adelantas, adelanta) describes current actions or habitual movements forward.
Preterite
yo: adelanté
The preterite of 'adelantar' (adelanté, adelantaste, adelantó) marks completed actions like overtaking a car.
Imperfect
yo: adelantaba
The imperfect of 'adelantar' (adelantaba, adelantabas, adelantaba) describes past ongoing actions or habits, like always moving forward.
Future
yo: adelantaré
The future tense of 'adelantar' (adelantaré, adelantarás, adelantará) predicts future actions like overtaking or moving something forward.
Conditional
yo: adelantaría
The conditional of 'adelantar' (adelantaría, adelantarías, adelantaría) expresses hypothetical actions ('would move forward') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: adelante
The present subjunctive of adelantar (e.g., 'adelante', 'adelantes') is used after expressions of desire, doubt, or emotion.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: adelanta
Use the imperative of adelantar for direct commands like 'adelanta' (you, informal) or 'adelanten' (you all, formal).
Negative Imperative
yo: no adelantes
Negative commands use the present subjunctive: 'no adelantes' (don't move forward), 'no adelanten' (don't move forward).