contagiar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
contagiar — to infect
The imperfect subjunctive, like 'contagiara' or 'contagiase', is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
contagiar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or necessity in the past. It's also common in 'if' clauses describing unreal or unlikely situations in the past or present.
Notes on contagiar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Contagiar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra (contagiara) and -se (contagiase) forms are correct, though -ra is generally more common.
Example Sentences
Ojalá no contagiara la enfermedad.
I wish he/she wouldn't spread the illness.
él/ella/usted
Si yo contagiara mi optimismo, todos estarían más felices.
If I spread my optimism, everyone would be happier.
yo
Dudaba que el virus se contagiara tan rápido.
I doubted that the virus would spread so quickly.
él/ella/usted
Me pidieron que no contagiase la noticia.
They asked me not to spread the news.
yo
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'contagiara' not 'contagió' after 'si' for hypothetical situations.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is required for unreal or hypothetical conditions, while the preterite describes completed actions.
Mistake: Confusing -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both 'contagiara' and 'contagiase' are correct for the imperfect subjunctive.
Why: Spanish offers two sets of endings for this tense; the -ra form is more common in everyday speech.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: contagio
Use the regular present tense 'contagio', 'contagias', 'contagia' for current or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: contagié
Use the regular preterite 'contagié', 'contagiaste', 'contagió' for completed past actions.
Imperfect
yo: contagiaba
Use imperfect 'contagiaba' for ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: contagiaré
Use the future 'contagiaré', 'contagiarás' for actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: contagiaría
Use conditional 'contagiaría' for hypotheticals ('would') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: contagie
Use present subjunctive like 'contagie' after doubts, wishes, or emotions.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: contagia
Use imperative forms like 'contagia' (tú) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no contagies
Use 'no contagies' (tú) for negative commands, based on the present subjunctive.