botar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
botar — to throw away
Use 'botara' or 'botase' forms for hypothetical or past subjunctive situations with botar.
botar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
The imperfect subjunctive is used for hypothetical situations, wishes, doubts, or emotions in the past. For 'botar', you might use it in 'if' clauses ('If I threw away the trash...') or to express a wish ('I wish you would throw away the old magazines').
Notes on botar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Botar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra or -se endings, with -ra generally being more common. The stem is 'bot-' and you add the regular endings: 'botara' (yo/él/ella/usted), 'botaras' (tú), 'botáramos' (nosotros), 'botarais' (vosotros), 'botaran' (ellos/ellas/ustedes).
Example Sentences
Si yo botara toda esa ropa vieja, tendría más espacio.
If I threw away all that old clothes, I would have more space.
yo
Ojalá tú botaras más a menudo.
I wish you threw away more often.
tú
Me gustaría que usted botara los folletos innecesarios.
I would like you to throw away the unnecessary brochures.
Ellos actuarían diferente si no botaran las oportunidades.
They would act differently if they didn't throw away opportunities.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing imperfect subjunctive with preterite or imperfect indicative.
Correct: Use 'botara' or 'botase' in hypothetical or wish contexts, not 'botó' or 'botaba'.
Why: The indicative tenses describe facts or ongoing actions, while the subjunctive deals with uncertainty, desire, or hypotheticals.
Mistake: Using the -ra form when the -se form is required (or vice-versa).
Correct: While both are valid, be consistent. 'Si yo botase...' is also correct.
Why: Both -ra and -se forms are correct imperfect subjunctive endings, but learners might mix them or use them in the wrong context.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: boto
Use 'boto', 'botas', 'bota', 'botamos', 'botáis', 'botan' for current or habitual actions of throwing away.
Preterite
yo: boté
Use 'boté', 'botaste', 'botó', 'botamos', 'botasteis', 'botaron' for completed actions of throwing away.
Imperfect
yo: botaba
Use 'botaba', 'botabas', 'botaba', 'botábamos', 'botabais', 'botaban' for ongoing or habitual past actions of throwing away.
Future
yo: botaré
Use 'botaré', 'botarás', 'botará', 'botaremos', 'botaréis', 'botarán' for future actions of throwing away.
Conditional
yo: botaría
Use 'botaría', 'botarías', 'botaría', 'botaríamos', 'botaríais', 'botarían' for hypothetical or polite commands with botar.
Present Subjunctive
yo: bote
Use 'bote' (yo/él/ella/usted) and 'boten' (ellos/ellas/ustedes) for wishes, doubts, and emotions with botar.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: bota
Use imperative forms like 'bota' (tú) and 'boten' (ustedes) for direct commands with botar.
Negative Imperative
yo: no botes
Use 'no botes' (tú) and 'no boten' (ustedes) for negative commands with botar.