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carecer Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation

carecer — to lack

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Quick answer:

The imperfect subjunctive of carecer uses the 'carecie-' stem: careciera, carecieras, careciera, etc.

carecer Imperfect Subjunctive Forms

yocareciera
túcarecieras
él/ella/ustedcareciera
nosotroscareciéramos
vosotroscarecierais
ellos/ellas/ustedescarecieran

When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive

Use this for hypothetical situations in the past or present, often after 'si' (if) or verbs of emotion in the past.

Notes on carecer in the Imperfect Subjunctive

This tense is formed using the third-person plural preterite stem (carecieron), making it regular relative to that stem.

Example Sentences

  • Si careciera de miedos, viajaría solo.

    If I lacked fears, I would travel alone.

    yo

  • Me sorprendió que carecieran de suministros.

    It surprised me that they lacked supplies.

    ellos/ellas/ustedes

  • Ojalá no careciéramos de tiempo.

    I wish we didn't lack time.

    nosotros

Common Mistakes

  • Mistake: Writing 'carezquera' or 'carezca'.

    Correct: The form is 'careciera'.

    Why: The 'zc' change from the present tense never carries over to the imperfect subjunctive.

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Related Tenses

Present

yo: carezco

The present of carecer is irregular in the 'yo' form (carezco), but regular elsewhere.

Preterite

yo: carecí

Imperfect

yo: carecía

The imperfect of carecer is regular: carecía, carecías, carecía, carecíamos, carecíais, carecían.

Future

yo: careceré

The future of carecer is regular: careceré, carecerás, carecerá, careceremos, careceréis, carecerán.

Conditional

yo: carecería

The conditional of carecer is regular: carecería, carecerías, carecería, careceríamos, careceríais, carecerían.

Present Subjunctive

yo: carezca

The present subjunctive of carecer uses the 'carezc-' stem for all forms: carezca, carezcas, carezca, etc.

Affirmative Imperative

yo: carece

The imperative of carecer uses 'carece' (tú) and 'carezca' (usted/ustedes).

Negative Imperative

yo: no carezcas

The negative imperative of carecer always uses the 'carezc-' stem: no carezcas, no carezca, etc.