cambiar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
cambiar — to change
The imperfect subjunctive of cambiar is based on the preterite stem: cambiara, cambiaras, cambiara, cambiáramos, cambiarais, cambiaran.
cambiar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this for hypothetical past situations or 'if' clauses, like 'If I changed my car, I would be happy'. It's also used after past verbs of wanting or doubting.
Notes on cambiar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Cambiar is regular here. The stem comes from the third-person plural preterite 'cambiaron'.
Example Sentences
Si yo cambiara de coche, compraría un Tesla.
If I changed cars, I would buy a Tesla.
yo
Me gustaría que tú cambiaras el diseño.
I would like you to change the design.
tú
El jefe pidió que cambiáramos el plan.
The boss asked that we change the plan.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing 'cambiara' with the future 'cambiará'.
Correct: cambiara (subjunctive) vs cambiará (future)
Why: The only difference is the accent on the final 'a', which completely changes the meaning and tense.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: cambio
Cambiar is regular in the present: cambio, cambias, cambia, cambiamos, cambiáis, cambian.
Preterite
yo: cambié
The preterite of cambiar is regular: cambié, cambiaste, cambió, cambiamos, cambiasteis, cambiaron.
Imperfect
yo: cambiaba
Cambiar is regular in the imperfect: cambiaba, cambiabas, cambiaba, cambiábamos, cambiabais, cambiaban.
Future
yo: cambiaré
The future of cambiar is formed by adding endings to the infinitive: cambiaré, cambiarás, cambiará, cambiaremos, cambiaréis, cambiarán.
Conditional
yo: cambiaría
The conditional of cambiar is regular: cambiaría, cambiarías, cambiaría, cambiaríamos, cambiaríais, cambiarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: cambie
The present subjunctive of cambiar uses -e endings: cambie, cambies, cambie, cambiemos, cambiéis, cambien.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: cambia
The imperative of cambiar provides direct commands: cambia, cambie, cambiemos, cambiad, cambien.
Negative Imperative
yo: no cambies
The negative imperative of cambiar uses the present subjunctive: no cambies, no cambie, no cambiemos, no cambiéis, no cambien.