comparecer Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
comparecer — to appear
Formed from the 'ellos' preterite, results in compareciera, comparecieras, etc.
comparecer Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this for hypothetical situations ('If I appeared...') or when the main verb is in the past and requires the subjunctive.
Notes on comparecer in the Imperfect Subjunctive
While it looks regular because it follows the 'ellos' preterite (comparecieron), remember it never uses the 'zc' spelling change.
Example Sentences
Si yo compareciera, diría la verdad.
If I were to appear, I would tell the truth.
yo
El juez pidió que compareciéramos de inmediato.
The judge asked that we appear immediately.
nosotros
Me gustaría que ellos comparecieran pronto.
I would like them to appear soon.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Writing 'comparezca' in a past context.
Correct: compareciera
Why: The present subjunctive (comparezca) cannot be used if the main verb is in the past (e.g., 'pidió que...').
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: comparezco
Comparecer has a 'z' in the 'yo' form (comparezco) but is otherwise a regular -er verb.
Preterite
yo: comparecí
Comparecer is completely regular in the preterite: comparecí, compareciste, compareció.
Imperfect
yo: comparecía
Comparecer is regular in the imperfect: comparecía, comparecías, comparecía.
Future
yo: compareceré
Comparecer is regular in the future; simply add the endings to the full infinitive.
Conditional
yo: comparecería
The conditional of comparecer is regular: comparecería, comparecerías, etc.
Present Subjunctive
yo: comparezca
All forms of the present subjunctive for comparecer use the 'zc' stem: comparezca, comparezcas, etc.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: comparece
The imperative uses 'comparece' for 'tú' and the 'zc' forms for formal commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no comparezcas
The negative imperative always uses the 'zc' subjunctive forms: no comparezcas, no comparezca.