conspirar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
conspirar — to conspire
The imperfect subjunctive of conspirar (conspirara, conspiraras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, and polite requests.
conspirar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty in the past, or in hypothetical 'if' clauses referring to the past or present. For 'conspirar', it might be about wishing someone hadn't conspired or imagining a conspiracy.
Notes on conspirar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Conspirar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the '-ra' and '-se' forms exist, but the '-ra' form (conspirara) is more common.
Example Sentences
Ojalá no hubieran conspirado contra el gobierno.
I wish they hadn't conspired against the government.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Si yo conspirara, sería por una buena causa.
If I were to conspire, it would be for a good cause.
yo
Me sorprendió que conspirara en mi contra.
It surprised me that he was conspiring against me.
él/ella/usted
¿Tú conspiraras en secreto?
Were you conspiring in secret?
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive in hypothetical clauses.
Correct: For 'if' clauses expressing unreal conditions, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si conspirara...', not 'Si conspiró...'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is specifically for hypothetical or counterfactual situations.
Mistake: Confusing the '-ra' and '-se' endings.
Correct: While both exist, the '-ra' forms (conspirara, conspiraras) are generally more common and widely understood.
Why: Learners may be unsure which form to use or mix them up.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: conspiro
The present tense of conspirar (conspiro, conspiras, conspira, etc.) describes current or habitual plotting.
Preterite
yo: conspiré
The preterite of conspirar is regular: conspiré, conspiraste, conspiró, conspiramos, conspirasteis, conspiraron.
Imperfect
yo: conspiraba
The imperfect of conspirar (conspiraba, conspirabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past conspiracies.
Future
yo: conspiraré
The future tense of conspirar (conspiraré, conspirarás, etc.) refers to future plotting or expresses probability.
Conditional
yo: conspiraría
The conditional of conspirar (conspiraría, conspirarías, etc.) is for hypotheticals ('would conspire') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: conspire
The present subjunctive of conspirar (conspire, conspires, conspiren) follows verbs of wishing, doubting, or emotion.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: conspira
Use the imperative of conspirar for direct commands like 'conspira' (you) or 'conspiren' (they/you all).
Negative Imperative
yo: no conspires
Form negative commands with 'no' + present subjunctive, like 'no conspires' (you) or 'no conspiren' (they/you all).