atropellar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
atropellar — to run over
The imperfect subjunctive of atropellar (e.g., 'atropellara') is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
atropellar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This is for 'what if' scenarios in the past or expressing a wish that didn't happen. For example, 'Si atropellara a alguien, me sentiría terrible.' (If I ran someone over, I would feel terrible.) It's also used after certain expressions of doubt or emotion in the past.
Notes on atropellar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Atropellar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both '-ra' and '-se' endings are possible (e.g., atropellara/atropellase), but the '-ra' form is more common.
Example Sentences
Si atropellara un animal, me detendría.
If I ran over an animal, I would stop.
yo
Ojalá no atropellaras a nadie.
I hope you wouldn't run anyone over.
tú
Le pedí que no atropellara el coche.
I asked him not to run over the car.
él/ella/usted
Dudaba que atropellaran el puesto.
I doubted they would run over the stall.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing imperfect subjunctive with preterite or imperfect indicative.
Correct: Use the imperfect subjunctive for hypothetical situations: 'Si atropellara...', not 'Si atropellé...' or 'Si atropellaba...'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is for non-factual or uncertain situations, while the indicative is for facts.
Mistake: Using the '-se' form incorrectly or inconsistently.
Correct: While 'atropellase' is technically correct, 'atropellara' is generally more common and safer to use.
Why: Both forms are valid, but regional preferences and frequency differ.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'atropellar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: atropello
The present tense of atropellar (e.g., 'atropello') means 'I run over' and is used for current or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: atropellé
The preterite of atropellar (e.g., 'atropellé') describes a specific, completed action of running over in the past.
Imperfect
yo: atropellaba
The imperfect of atropellar (e.g., 'atropellaba') describes ongoing or habitual past actions of running over.
Future
yo: atropellaré
The future tense of atropellar (e.g., 'atropellaré') indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: atropellaría
The conditional of atropellar (e.g., 'atropellaría') expresses 'would' actions or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: atropelle
The present subjunctive of atropellar (e.g., 'atropelle') expresses wishes, doubts, or emotions about present/future events.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: atropella
Use the imperative of atropellar for direct commands like 'atropella' (you, informal) or 'atropellen' (you all, formal).
Negative Imperative
yo: no atropelles
Negative commands for atropellar use the present subjunctive: 'no atropelles' (don't you run over).