atender Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
atender — to serve
The imperfect subjunctive of 'atender' (atendiera/atendiese) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
atender Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is used for hypothetical situations in the past, to express wishes or doubts that were relevant in the past, or in polite requests. For 'atender', you might talk about serving someone if a condition were met in the past.
Notes on atender in the Imperfect Subjunctive
'Atender' is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se endings are correct, though -ra is more common in many regions. Examples: atendiera/atendiese, atendieras/atendieses, etc.
Example Sentences
Si yo atendiera mejor, quizá habría conseguido el trabajo.
If I had served better, maybe I would have gotten the job.
yo
Me pidió que le atendiera con amabilidad.
He asked me to serve him kindly.
él/ella/usted
Era importante que todos ustedes atendieran la reunión.
It was important that all of you attended the meeting.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
¿Qué harías si yo te atendiera como cliente?
What would you do if I were to serve you as a client?
yo
Ojalá mis padres me hubieran atendido más.
I wish my parents had paid more attention to me.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'atendiera' or 'atendiese', not 'atendí'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is required for hypothetical or past subjective clauses, not for completed past actions.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'atendiera' and 'atendiese' are correct, but be consistent or use the more common '-ra' form.
Why: Learners sometimes struggle with the existence of two valid sets of endings for this tense.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: atiendo
The present indicative of 'atender' (atiendo, atiendes, atiende, etc.) is for actions happening now or habitually.
Preterite
yo: atendí
The preterite of 'atender' (atendí, atendiste, atendió, etc.) is for completed past actions.
Imperfect
yo: atendía
The imperfect of 'atender' (atendía, atendías, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: atenderé
The future tense of 'atender' (atenderé, atenderás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: atendería
The conditional of 'atender' (atendería, atenderías, etc.) expresses hypothetical outcomes or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: atienda
The present subjunctive of 'atender' (atienda, atendamos, etc.) follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: atiende
Use 'atiende', 'atienda', 'atendamos', 'atended', 'atiendan' for direct commands with 'atender'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no atiendas
Use 'no atiendas', 'no atienda', 'no atendamos', 'no atendáis', 'no atiendan' for negative commands.