constar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
constar — to consist of
The imperfect subjunctive of constar (constara/constase) is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
constar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive of constar to talk about hypothetical situations in the past, wishes, or doubts related to something consisting of something else. For example, 'If the project consisted of only simple tasks, I would finish it.'
Notes on constar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Constar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra or -se endings (e.g., 'constara' or 'constase'); the -ra form is more common.
Example Sentences
Si el equipo constara de más personas, podríamos dividir el trabajo.
If the team consisted of more people, we could divide the work.
él/ella/usted
Ojalá el informe no constara de tantas páginas.
I wish the report didn't consist of so many pages.
él/ella/usted
Dudaba que la explicación constara de más detalles.
I doubted the explanation consisted of more details.
él/ella/usted
Aunque nos constase el secreto, no lo diríamos.
Even if the secret consisted of us, we wouldn't tell.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive for past hypotheticals.
Correct: For hypothetical past situations, use the imperfect subjunctive like 'constara' or 'constase'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is the correct mood and tense for unreal or hypothetical conditions in the past.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'constara' and 'constase' are correct imperfect subjunctive forms.
Why: Spanish offers two sets of endings for the imperfect subjunctive, and both are grammatically valid.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: consto
The present indicative of constar is regular: consto, constas, consta, constamos, constáis, constan.
Preterite
yo: consté
The preterite of constar is regular: consté, constaste, constó, constamos, constasteis, constaron.
Imperfect
yo: constaba
The imperfect of constar is regular: constaba, constabas, constaba, constábamos, constabais, constaban.
Future
yo: constaré
The future of constar is regular: constaré, constarás, constará, constaremos, constaréis, constarán.
Conditional
yo: constaría
The conditional of constar is regular: constaría, constarías, constaría, constaríamos, constaríais, constarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: conste
The present subjunctive of constar (conste, constes, constemos, consten) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: consta
The imperative of constar is mostly regular, with commands like 'consta' (tú) and 'constad' (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no constes
The negative imperative of constar uses the present subjunctive, e.g., 'no constes' (tú) and 'no consten' (ustedes).