complementar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
complementar — to complement
Use imperfect subjunctive forms like 'complementara' or 'complementase' for past hypotheticals or wishes.
complementar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
The imperfect subjunctive is used for hypothetical situations, unreal conditions, wishes, doubts, or emotions in the past. It often appears in 'if' clauses ('si...') or after expressions of desire or uncertainty that refer to the past.
Notes on complementar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Complementar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms exist (e.g., complementara/complementase, complementaras/complementases), with the -ra form generally being more common.
Example Sentences
Si yo complementara tu trabajo, seríamos un equipo perfecto.
If I complemented your work, we would be a perfect team.
yo
Ojalá él complementase la presentación con más gráficos.
I wish he would complement the presentation with more graphics.
él/ella/usted
Me pidió que complementara la información que ya tenía.
He asked me to complement the information he already had.
yo
Dudaba que ellos complementaran bien el proyecto.
I doubted they would complement the project well.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For past hypotheticals or wishes, use forms like 'complementara' or 'complementase'.
Why: The preterite describes completed past actions, while the imperfect subjunctive deals with hypothetical or unreal situations in the past.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both 'complementara' and 'complementase' are correct, but 'complementara' is often more common.
Why: While both are valid, learners might overuse one or be unaware of the other form.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: complemento
The present tense of complementar is regular: complemento, complementas, complementa, complementamos, complementáis, complementan.
Preterite
yo: complementé
The preterite of complementar is regular: complementé, complementaste, complementó, complementamos, complementasteis, complementaron.
Imperfect
yo: complementaba
The imperfect of complementar is regular: complementaba, complementabas, complementaba, complementábamos, complementabais, complementaban.
Future
yo: complementaré
The future tense of complementar is regular: complementaré, complementarás, complementará, complementaremos, complementaréis, complementarán.
Conditional
yo: complementaría
The conditional of complementar is regular: complementaría, complementarías, complementaría, complementaríamos, complementaríais, complementarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: complemente
Use present subjunctive forms like 'complemente' (yo/él/ella/usted) after expressions of doubt or desire.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: complementa
Use imperative forms like 'complementa' (tú) and 'complemente' (usted) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no complementes
Negative commands like 'no complementes' (tú) use the present subjunctive with 'no'.