
alimentar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
alimentar — to feed
The imperfect subjunctive of alimentar uses -ara endings: alimentara, alimentaras, alimentara, alimentáramos...
alimentar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this in 'if' clauses involving feeding (e.g., 'If I fed him...') or after past-tense triggers of emotion or doubt.
Notes on alimentar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Regularly formed from the 'ellos' preterite (alimentaron). Note the accent on the 'nosotros' form: alimentáramos.
Example Sentences
Si yo alimentara al perro, él no tendría hambre.
If I fed the dog, he wouldn't be hungry.
yo
El veterinario quería que nosotros alimentáramos al gato con dieta especial.
The vet wanted us to feed the cat with a special diet.
nosotros
Fue una lástima que no alimentaran a los peces.
It was a shame they didn't feed the fish.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: alimentarais (without context)
Correct: alimentarais
Why: Learners often forget this form exists since it is mainly used in Spain, but it is the regular plural 'you' form.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: alimento
Alimentar is regular in the present: alimento, alimentas, alimenta, alimentamos, alimentáis, alimentan.
Preterite
yo: alimenté
Alimentar is regular in the preterite: alimenté, alimentaste, alimentó, alimentamos, alimentasteis, alimentaron.
Imperfect
yo: alimentaba
The imperfect of alimentar follows the regular -aba pattern: alimentaba, alimentabas, alimentaba...
Future
yo: alimentaré
The future of alimentar is formed by adding endings to the infinitive: alimentaré, alimentarás, alimentará...
Conditional
yo: alimentaría
The conditional of alimentar adds -ía endings to the infinitive: alimentaría, alimentarías, alimentaría...
Present Subjunctive
yo: alimente
The present subjunctive of alimentar uses -e endings: alimente, alimentes, alimente, alimentemos, alimentéis, alimenten.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: alimenta
The imperative of alimentar gives direct orders: alimenta (tú), alimentad (vosotros), alimente (usted).
Negative Imperative
yo: no alimentes
The negative imperative of alimentar uses 'no' + present subjunctive forms: no alimentes, no alimente, etc.