auxiliar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation

When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive

The imperfect subjunctive is used for hypothetical situations in the past, wishes, or doubts that were expressed in the past. It's common in 'if' clauses (like 'if I were to help...') or when expressing a desire that something had happened differently.

Notes on auxiliar in the Imperfect Subjunctive

Auxiliar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms exist, but the -ra form (auxiliara, auxiliaras, auxiliara, auxiliáramos, auxiliarais, auxiliaran) is more common in everyday speech.

Example Sentences

• Si yo te auxiliara, ¿me lo agradecerías?

  If I were to help you, would you thank me?

  yo

• Ojalá él nos auxiliara en ese momento.

  I wish he would help us at that moment.

  él/ella/usted

• Esperábamos que ustedes nos auxiliaran.

  We hoped that you all would help us.

  ellos/ellas/ustedes

• Si vosotros os auxiliarais, todo sería más fácil.

  If you all were to help each other, everything would be easier.

  vosotros

• Yo me sentía mejor si tú me auxiliaras.

  I felt better if you helped me.

  tú

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive (e.g., 'si te auxilié').

  Correct: For hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situations, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'si te auxiliara'.

  Why: The imperfect subjunctive is the mood and tense for unreal conditions or wishes in the past.

• Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.

  Correct: While both are correct, the -ra form (e.g., 'auxiliara') is generally more common.

  Why: Learners might get confused by the existence of two sets of endings (-ra, -ras, -ra, -ramos, -rais, -ran and -se, -ses, -se, -semos, -seis, -sen).

Related Tenses