aterrar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
aterrar — to terrify
Use the imperfect subjunctive like 'aterrara' or 'aterraras' for past hypotheticals or wishes.
aterrar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is used for hypothetical situations in the past, unreal conditions, or polite requests related to the past. Imagine expressing a wish that something *would* terrify someone, or a condition *if* something terrified someone.
Notes on aterrar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Aterrar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms exist (e.g., aterrara/aterrase), but the -ra form is more common.
Example Sentences
Si la película me aterara, me habría ido.
If the movie terrified me, I would have left.
él/ella/usted
Ojalá ese ruido no te aterrara tanto.
I wish that noise didn't terrify you so much.
tú
Dudaba que la historia la aterrara.
I doubted the story would terrify her.
Nos pidieron que no aterráramos a los invitados.
They asked us not to terrify the guests.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'aterrara' in clauses expressing doubt or hypothetical conditions, not 'aterraba'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is needed for non-factual or uncertain situations.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: While both are correct, stick to the -ra form (e.g., 'aterrara') for consistency if unsure.
Why: Learners often get confused by the two sets of endings, but they are interchangeable in most contexts.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: aterro
The present tense 'aterro', 'aterras', 'aterra' describes current actions or habitual terrors.
Preterite
yo: aterré
The preterite of aterrar is regular: aterré, aterraron, etc., for completed past actions.
Imperfect
yo: aterraba
The imperfect 'aterraba', 'aterrabas' describes ongoing or habitual past actions that terrified.
Future
yo: aterraré
The future tense 'aterraré', 'aterrarás' indicates actions that will terrify.
Conditional
yo: aterraría
The conditional 'aterraría' expresses 'would terrify' or polite suggestions.
Present Subjunctive
yo: aterre
Use present subjunctive like 'aterre' (yo/él/ella/usted) or 'aterren' (ustedes) after expressions of doubt, emotion, or desire.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: aterra
Use imperative forms like 'aterra' (tú) and 'aterren' (ustedes) for direct commands with aterrar.
Negative Imperative
yo: no aterres
Negative commands like 'no aterres' (tú) and 'no aterren' (ustedes) use the present subjunctive.