alternar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
alternar — to alternate
The imperfect subjunctive (alternara/alternase) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, and polite requests.
alternar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive for hypothetical situations in the past, to express wishes or doubts about past events, or for polite requests. It often appears in 'if' clauses about unreal situations.
Notes on alternar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Alternar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra form (alternara) or the -se form (alternase), with -ra often being more common.
Example Sentences
Si alternara más entre el trabajo y el descanso, estaría menos cansado.
If I alternated more between work and rest, I would be less tired.
yo
Ojalá él alternara su dieta con más verduras.
I wish he would alternate his diet with more vegetables.
él/ella/usted
Me gustaría que ustedes alternaran los asientos.
I would like you to alternate the seats.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Te pedí que no alternaras las respuestas.
I asked you not to alternate the answers.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For hypothetical or unreal past conditions, use the imperfect subjunctive forms like 'alternara'.
Why: The imperfect indicative describes past facts, while the imperfect subjunctive describes unreal or hypothetical past situations.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both 'alternara' and 'alternase' are correct imperfect subjunctive forms. 'Alternara' is generally more common.
Why: Learners might be unsure which ending to use or think only one is correct.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: alterno
The present tense 'alterno', 'alternas', 'alterna', 'alternamos', 'alternáis', 'alternan' describes habitual actions, current actions, and general truths.
Preterite
yo: alterné
The preterite of 'alternar' is regular: alterné, alternaste, alternó, alternamos, alternasteis, alternaron.
Imperfect
yo: alternaba
The imperfect 'alternaba', 'alternabas', 'alternaba', 'alternábamos', 'alternabais', 'alternaban' describes habitual or ongoing past actions.
Future
yo: alternaré
The future tense 'alternaré', 'alternarás', 'alternará', 'alternaremos', 'alternaréis', 'alternarán' indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: alternaría
The conditional 'alternaría', 'alternarías', 'alternaría', 'alternaríamos', 'alternaríais', 'alternarían' expresses hypotheticals ('would') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: alterne
The present subjunctive (alterne, alternes, alternemos, alternen, alternéis) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: alterna
Use 'alterna' (tú), 'alterne' (usted), 'alternemos' (nosotros), 'alternen' (ustedes), 'alternad' (vosotros) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no alternes
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive: 'no alternes' (tú), 'no alterne' (usted), 'no alternemos' (nosotros), 'no alternen' (ustedes), 'no alternéis' (vosotros).