ahorrar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation

When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive

This tense is for talking about hypothetical situations or wishes in the past, often in 'if' clauses. For example, 'Si yo ahorrara más, podría viajar' (If I saved more, I could travel). It can also express polite requests or soften statements.

Notes on ahorrar in the Imperfect Subjunctive

Ahorrar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra form (ahorrara, ahorraras, etc.) or the -se form (ahorrase, ahorrases, etc.). They are interchangeable.

Example Sentences

• Si pudieras, ¿ahorraras para un coche nuevo?

  If you could, would you save for a new car?

  tú

• Me gustaría que él ahorrara más dinero.

  I would like him to save more money.

  él/ella/usted

• Ellos habrían comprado la casa si hubieran ahorrado.

  They would have bought the house if they had saved.

  ellos/ellas/ustedes

• Era importante que ahorráramos para emergencias.

  It was important that we saved for emergencies.

  nosotros

• Te lo diría si me pidieras que lo hiciera, pero no ahorraste para el viaje.

  I would tell you if you asked me to, but you didn't save for the trip.

  tú

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.

  Correct: In hypothetical 'if' clauses or after verbs of wishing/doubt, use 'si ahorrara', not 'si ahorraba'.

  Why: The subjunctive mood is required for hypotheticals and non-factual statements.

• Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.

  Correct: Both 'ahorrara' and 'ahorrase' are correct for the imperfect subjunctive (yo/él/ella/usted form).

  Why: Spanish offers two equivalent endings for this tense.

Related Tenses