atrever Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
atrever — to dare
The imperfect subjunctive of atrever (atreviera/atreviera) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or politeness, like 'Si me atreviera...' (If I dared...).
atrever Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is for hypothetical situations in the past, expressing doubts, wishes, or politeness, often following 'si' (if) or in dependent clauses. It's like saying 'what if' or 'I wish' about a past possibility.
Notes on atrever in the Imperfect Subjunctive
The imperfect subjunctive of 'atrever' is regular in its stem vowel, but the verb itself is reflexive and needs the correct pronoun. The -ra and -se forms are interchangeable (e.g., atreviera / atreviese).
Example Sentences
Si yo me atreviera a saltar, ¿vendrías conmigo?
If I dared to jump, would you come with me?
yo
Me gustaría que te atrevieras a pedir un aumento.
I would like you to dare to ask for a raise.
tú
Él actuó como si no se atreviera a mirarla.
He acted as if he didn't dare to look at her.
él/ella/usted
Ojalá ellos se atrevieran a probar algo nuevo.
I wish they dared to try something new.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing imperfect subjunctive with preterite or imperfect indicative.
Correct: Use 'Si me atreviera' for a past hypothetical, not 'Si me atreví' or 'Si me atrevía.'
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is specifically for unreal or hypothetical conditions in the past or present.
Mistake: Forgetting the reflexive pronoun.
Correct: It should be 'Si me atreviera,' not 'Si atreviera.'
Why: 'Atreverse' requires a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) to indicate daring oneself or taking the initiative.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: me atrevo
The present tense of atrever (atrevo, atreves, etc.) is for habitual or current actions of daring, like 'Me atrevo a todo.' (I dare everything).
Preterite
yo: me atreví
The preterite of atrever (atreví, atreviste, etc.) describes completed past actions of daring, like 'Me atreví a saltar.' (I dared to jump).
Imperfect
yo: me atrevía
The imperfect of atrever (atrevía, atrevías) describes habitual or ongoing past actions of daring, like 'Siempre me atrevía a más.' (I always dared to do more).
Future
yo: me atreveré
The future tense of atrever (atreveré, atreverás) indicates future actions of daring, like 'Me atreveré a hacerlo.' (I will dare to do it).
Conditional
yo: me atrevería
The conditional of atrever (atrevería, atreverías) expresses hypothetical daring ('would dare') or polite suggestions, like 'Me atrevería a preguntar.' (I would dare to ask).
Present Subjunctive
yo: me atreva
The present subjunctive of atrever (atreva) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty, like 'Espero que te atrevas.' (I hope you dare).
Affirmative Imperative
yo: atrévete
Use the imperative of atrever for direct commands like '¡Atrévete!' (Dare!) or '¡Atrévanse!' (Dare!).
Negative Imperative
yo: no te atrevas
Use the negative imperative of atrever with 'no' and the present subjunctive, like '¡No te atrevas!' (Don't you dare!).