chupar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation

When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive

Use the imperfect subjunctive to talk about hypothetical situations, wishes, or doubts in the past, often in 'if' clauses or after expressions of emotion or uncertainty that refer to the past.

Notes on chupar in the Imperfect Subjunctive

Chupar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra or -se endings (e.g., 'chupara' or 'chupase'), though the -ra form is more common in many regions.

Example Sentences

• Si yo chupara el limón, haría una mueca.

  If I sucked the lemon, I would make a face.

  yo

• Me gustaría que tú chuparas más despacio el helado.

  I would like you to suck the ice cream more slowly.

  tú

• Ojalá él chupase menos dulces.

  I wish he would suck fewer candies.

  él/ella/usted

• Si nosotros chupáramos la naranja entera, nos daría acidez.

  If we sucked the whole orange, we would get heartburn.

  nosotros

• Sería bueno que ustedes chuparan la medicina.

  It would be good if you all sucked the medicine.

  ellos/ellas/ustedes

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive in hypothetical clauses, like 'Si chupé...' instead of 'Si chupara...'.

  Correct: Hypothetical or unreal conditions in the past require the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si chupara...' or 'Si chupase...'.

  Why: The imperfect subjunctive is used for unreal or hypothetical situations, especially when introduced by 'si' (if).

• Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the 'nosotros' form, writing 'chupamos' instead of 'chupáramos'.

  Correct: The 'nosotros' form of the imperfect subjunctive has a written accent: 'chupáramos' or 'chupásemos'.

  Why: The accent is necessary to indicate the correct stress in the word and distinguish it from other verb forms.

Related Tenses