copiar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
copiar — to copy
The imperfect subjunctive of copiar (copiara/copiase) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, and doubts.
copiar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is for hypothetical situations or wishes in the past, often following expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion. It's also common in 'if' clauses referring to unreal past conditions.
Notes on copiar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Copiar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se endings are correct, though -ra is more common.
Example Sentences
Ojalá copiara tus habilidades de dibujo.
I wish I could copy your drawing skills.
yo
Si yo copiara su estilo, me metería en problemas.
If I copied his style, I would get into trouble.
yo
Me pidió que copiara la receta.
He asked me to copy the recipe.
yo
Dudaba que tú copiaras la información correctamente.
I doubted that you would copy the information correctly.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive for past hypotheticals.
Correct: Use 'Si copiara...' not 'Si copió...'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is essential for unreal or hypothetical conditions in the past.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'copiara' and 'copiase' are correct, but 'copiara' is generally more common.
Why: While interchangeable in many regions, understanding both endings is helpful for comprehension.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: copio
The present tense of copiar is regular: copio, copias, copia, copiamos, copiáis, copian.
Preterite
yo: copié
The preterite of copiar is regular: copié, copiaste, copió, copiamos, copiasteis, copiaron.
Imperfect
yo: copiaba
The imperfect of copiar is regular: copiaba, copiabas, copiaba, copiábamos, copiabais, copiaban.
Future
yo: copiaré
The future of copiar is regular: copiaré, copiarás, copiará, copiaremos, copiaréis, copiarán.
Conditional
yo: copiaría
The conditional of copiar is regular: copiaría, copiarías, copiaría, copiaríamos, copiaríais, copiarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: copie
The present subjunctive of copiar (copie, copies, copiemos, copien, copiéis) is used for wishes, doubts, and emotions.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: copia
The imperative of copiar is irregular for tú (copia) but regular for others: copiemos, copien, copiad, copie.
Negative Imperative
yo: no copies
Negative commands for copiar use the present subjunctive: no copies, no copie, no copiemos, no copien, no copiéis.