contener Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
contener — to contain
The imperfect subjunctive uses the 'contuv-' stem: contuviera, contuvieras, contuviera, contuviéramos, contuvierais, contuvieran.
contener Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this in 'if' clauses (hypotheticals) or when the main verb is in the past, such as 'I wanted the box to contain gold.'
Notes on contener in the Imperfect Subjunctive
The stem is derived from the third-person plural preterite (contuvieron), resulting in the 'uv' spelling.
Example Sentences
Si la caja contuviera dinero, seríamos ricos.
If the box contained money, we would be rich.
él/ella/usted
Me pidió que contuviera la respiración.
He asked me to hold my breath.
yo
Common Mistakes
Mistake: conteniera
Correct: contuviera
Why: The imperfect subjunctive must follow the irregular preterite stem 'contuv-'.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: contengo
The present of contener follows the 'tener' pattern: contengo, contienes, contiene, contenemos, contenéis, contienen.
Preterite
yo: contuve
The preterite uses the irregular 'tuv' stem: contuve, contuviste, contuvo, contuvimos, contuvisteis, contuvieron.
Imperfect
yo: contenía
The imperfect of contener is completely regular: contenía, contenías, contenía, conteníamos, conteníais, contenían.
Future
yo: contendré
The future uses the irregular stem 'contendr-': contendré, contendrás, contendrá, contendremos, contendréis, contendrán.
Conditional
yo: contendría
The conditional uses the irregular stem 'contendr-': contendría, contendrías, contendría, contendríamos, contendríais, contendrían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: contenga
The present subjunctive is based on the 'yo' form: contenga, contengas, contenga, contengamos, contengáis, contengan.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: contén
Direct commands for contener: contén (tú), contenga (usted), contened (vosotros), contengan (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no contengas
Negative commands use the present subjunctive: no contengas, no contenga, no contengamos, no contengáis, no contengan.