aguardar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
aguardar — to wait for
The imperfect subjunctive ('aguardara'/'aguardase') expresses hypothetical or uncertain waiting in the past.
aguardar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is great for talking about hypothetical situations or wishes in the past related to waiting. For example, 'Si yo aguardara más tiempo, habría llegado tarde' (If I had waited longer, I would have arrived late) or expressing a past desire, 'Esperaba que no me aguardara' (I hoped he wouldn't wait for me).
Notes on aguardar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Aguardar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the '-ra' and '-se' endings are correct and interchangeable, though '-ra' is more common in many regions. For example, 'aguardara' and 'aguardase' mean the same thing.
Example Sentences
Si yo aguardara, me perdería el tren.
If I waited, I would miss the train.
yo
Me pidieron que aguardara su llegada.
They asked me to wait for their arrival.
yo
¿Tú crees que ellos aguardaran por nosotros?
Do you think they would wait for us?
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Ojalá él aguardase con paciencia.
I wish he would wait with patience.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive for hypothetical past situations.
Correct: Use 'aguardara' or 'aguardase' in conditional clauses starting with 'si' referring to the past.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is required for unreal or hypothetical conditions in the past.
Mistake: Confusing '-ra' and '-se' forms.
Correct: Both 'aguardara' and 'aguardase' are correct, but '-ra' is more common.
Why: Learners might only know one form or think one is incorrect.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: aguardo
The present tense 'aguardo', 'aguardas', 'aguarda' describes current or habitual waiting.
Preterite
yo: aguardé
The preterite of 'aguardar' is regular: aguardé, aguardaste, aguardó, aguardamos, aguardasteis, aguardaron.
Imperfect
yo: aguardaba
The imperfect 'aguardaba' describes ongoing or habitual waiting in the past.
Future
yo: aguardaré
The future tense 'aguardaré', 'aguardarás' indicates future waiting or probability.
Conditional
yo: aguardaría
The conditional 'aguardaría' expresses hypothetical waiting or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: aguarde
The present subjunctive ('aguarde', 'aguardes') is used for wishes, doubts, and emotions about waiting.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: aguarda
Use 'aguarda' (tú) and 'aguarden' (ustedes) for direct commands to wait.
Negative Imperative
yo: no aguardes
Use 'no aguardes' (tú) and 'no aguarden' (ustedes) for negative commands to not wait.