comandar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
comandar — to lead
The imperfect subjunctive (comandara/comandase) is for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
comandar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is perfect for talking about hypothetical situations in the past, expressing wishes, or making polite requests that relate to a past context. For instance, 'Si yo comandara el ejército, todos estarían seguros' (If I were to lead the army, everyone would be safe) or 'Me gustaría que él comandara el proyecto' (I would like him to lead the project).
Notes on comandar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Comandar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Remember that both the -ra and -se forms are correct (e.g., 'comandara' and 'comandase' both mean 'I would lead'), though the -ra form is generally more common.
Example Sentences
Si yo comandara el país, implementaría cambios.
If I were to lead the country, I would implement changes.
yo
Era importante que tú comandaras bien las tropas.
It was important that you led the troops well.
tú
Ojalá él comandara mejor.
I wish he would lead better.
él/ella/usted
Nos pidieron que comandáramos la misión.
They asked us to lead the mission.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use forms like 'comandara' or 'comandase' in hypothetical or dependent clauses.
Why: The subjunctive mood is required for expressing doubt, desire, or hypothetical conditions, which the indicative cannot convey.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the nosotros form.
Correct: The correct form is 'comandáramos'.
Why: The accent indicates the stressed syllable and distinguishes it from other forms.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'comandar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: comando
The present tense (comando, comanda, comandan) describes habitual actions or things happening now.
Preterite
yo: comandé
The preterite of comandar is regular: comandé, comandaste, comandó, comandamos, comandasteis, comandaron.
Imperfect
yo: comandaba
The imperfect (comanadaba, comandabas) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: comandaré
The future tense (comanadará, comandarán) expresses certainty or probability about future leading actions.
Conditional
yo: comandaría
The conditional (comanadaría, comandarían) expresses hypothetical actions ('would') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: comande
The present subjunctive (comande, comandes, etc.) follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, and uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: comanda
Comanda (tú), comande (usted), comandemos (nosotros), comanden (ustedes), comandad (vosotros) are commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no comandes
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive: no comandes (tú), no comande (usted), etc.