cansar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
cansar — to tire (someone) out
The imperfect subjunctive (cansara, cansaras, etc.) expresses hypothetical or unreal situations in the past related to tiring oneself out.
cansar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is used for hypothetical or unlikely situations in the past, often in 'if' clauses or expressing wishes that didn't come true. For example, 'If I had tired myself out more, I would have slept better.'
Notes on cansar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Cansarse is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms exist (e.g., cansara or cansase), but the -ra form is generally more common.
Example Sentences
Si me cansara más, creo que dormiría mejor.
If I tired myself out more, I think I would sleep better.
yo
Ojalá no se hubieran cansado tanto en el viaje.
I wish they hadn't tired themselves out so much on the trip.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Me pidió que no me cansara antes de la carrera.
He asked me not to tire myself out before the race.
yo
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'si me cansara', not 'si me cansé'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is required for these types of hypothetical or unreal past conditions.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both 'cansara' and 'cansase' are correct, but 'cansara' is often preferred.
Why: While both are grammatically correct, learners often stick to one form (usually -ra) to avoid confusion.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: canso
The present tense of cansarse (canso, cansas, cansa, etc.) describes habitual or current actions of tiring oneself out.
Preterite
yo: cansé
The preterite of cansarse (cansé, cansaste, cansó, etc.) describes completed past actions of tiring oneself out.
Imperfect
yo: cansaba
The imperfect of cansarse (cansaba, cansabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions of tiring oneself out.
Future
yo: cansaré
The future tense of cansarse (cansaré, cansarás, etc.) talks about the future action of tiring oneself out.
Conditional
yo: cansaría
The conditional of cansarse (cansaría, cansarías, etc.) expresses hypothetical situations or polite suggestions about tiring oneself out.
Present Subjunctive
yo: canse
The present subjunctive (cance, canses, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty about tiring oneself out.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: cansa
Use the imperative of cansarse (cansate, cansate, cansémonos, cansaos, cáñense) for direct commands to get someone to tire themselves out.
Negative Imperative
yo: no canses
Use 'no + present subjunctive' (no te canses, no se canse, etc.) for negative commands telling someone not to tire themselves out.