calibrar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
calibrar — to calibrate
The imperfect subjunctive of calibrar (e.g., calibrara, calibraras) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
calibrar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive to talk about hypothetical situations, wishes, or doubts in the past. It often appears in 'if' clauses (like 'if I were to calibrate...') or after expressions of desire, emotion, or uncertainty related to the past.
Notes on calibrar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
'Calibrar' is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se endings are correct, but the -ra form (calibrara, calibraras, etc.) is more common in everyday speech.
Example Sentences
Si yo calibrara el motor, funcionaría mejor.
If I were to calibrate the engine, it would run better.
yo
Me gustaría que tú calibraras la impresora.
I would like you to calibrate the printer.
tú
Era importante que él calibrara los instrumentos.
It was important that he calibrate the instruments.
él/ella/usted
Dudaba que nosotros calibráramos el equipo correctamente.
I doubted that we calibrated the equipment correctly.
nosotros
Ojalá ellos calibraran a tiempo.
I wish they would calibrate on time.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative ('calibraba') instead of the imperfect subjunctive ('calibrara') after 'si' in a hypothetical.
Correct: For hypothetical conditions, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si yo calibrara...'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is required for unreal or hypothetical conditions in the past.
Mistake: Confusing the 'vosotros' form, using 'calibrarais' from the -se ending instead of the more common -ra ending.
Correct: The common 'vosotros' form is 'calibrarais'.
Why: While 'calibraseis' is also technically correct, 'calibrarais' is more frequently used.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'calibrar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: calibro
The present tense of calibrar (calibro, calibras, etc.) describes current actions, habits, or general truths.
Preterite
yo: calibré
Calibrar is regular in the preterite: calibré, calibraste, calibró, calibrámos, calibrásteis, calibráron.
Imperfect
yo: calibraba
The imperfect of calibrar (calibraba, calibrabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: calibraré
The future tense of calibrar (calibraré, calibrarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: calibraría
The conditional of calibrar (calibraría, calibrarías, etc.) expresses hypothetical actions ('would calibrate') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: calibre
The present subjunctive of calibrar (calibre, calibres, etc.) is used for wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: calibra
Calibrar's imperative forms are mostly regular, with a few exceptions: calibra (tú), calibre (usted), calibremos (nosotros), calibren (ustedes), calibrad (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no calibres
Negative commands for 'calibrar' use the present subjunctive: no calibras (tú), no calibre (usted), no calibremos (nosotros), no calibren (ustedes), no calibréis (vosotros).