cortar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
cortar — to cut
The imperfect subjunctive of cortar is based on the 'ellos' preterite: cortara, cortaras, cortara, cortáramos, cortarais, cortaran.
cortar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this for hypothetical situations in the past or in 'if' clauses, like 'If I cut the cake now...' (Si yo cortara el pastel ahora...).
Notes on cortar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Cortar is regular here. The stem comes from 'cortaron' (preterite). Always remember the accent on the 'a' in the nosotros form (cortáramos).
Example Sentences
Si yo cortara el pelo, me arrepentiría.
If I cut my hair, I would regret it.
yo
Me gustaría que tú cortaras las verduras.
I would like you to cut the vegetables.
tú
Si ellos cortaran la comunicación, estaríamos aislados.
If they cut communication, we would be isolated.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present subjunctive after 'si' (If).
Correct: cortara
Why: In hypothetical 'if' clauses, Spanish requires the imperfect subjunctive, not the present subjunctive.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: corto
Cortar is a regular -ar verb in the present tense: corto, cortas, corta, cortamos, cortáis, cortan.
Preterite
yo: corté
The preterite of cortar is regular: corté, cortaste, cortó, cortamos, cortasteis, cortaron.
Imperfect
yo: cortaba
Cortar in the imperfect follows the regular -aba pattern: cortaba, cortabas, cortaba, cortábamos, cortabais, cortaban.
Future
yo: cortaré
The future of cortar is formed by adding endings to the infinitive: cortaré, cortarás, cortará, cortaremos, cortaréis, cortarán.
Conditional
yo: cortaría
The conditional of cortar uses the infinitive plus -ía endings: cortaría, cortarías, cortaría, cortaríamos, cortaríais, cortarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: corte
The present subjunctive of cortar uses -e endings: corte, cortes, corte, cortemos, cortéis, corten.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: corta
The affirmative imperative of cortar gives direct commands: corta (tú), cortad (vosotros), corte(n) (usted/es).
Negative Imperative
yo: no cortes
The negative imperative of cortar uses 'no' plus the present subjunctive: no cortes, no corte, no cortemos, no cortéis, no corten.