cuidar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
cuidar — to take care of
The imperfect subjunctive of cuidar uses the preterite stem: cuidara, cuidaras, cuidara, cuidáramos.
cuidar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this in hypothetical 'if' clauses (e.g., 'If I took care of...') or when you previously wanted someone to look after something.
Notes on cuidar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Cuidar is regular. The forms are derived from the third-person plural preterite 'cuidaron' by removing the -on.
Example Sentences
Si yo cuidara mi dinero, tendría más ahorros.
If I took care of my money, I would have more savings.
yo
Me pidió que cuidara a su gato.
He asked me to look after his cat.
él/ella/usted
Si cuidáramos la naturaleza, el mundo sería mejor.
If we took care of nature, the world would be better.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: cuidarais without the accent
Correct: cuidáramos
Why: The nosotros form 'cuidáramos' always requires an accent on the vowel before the -ramos ending.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: cuido
The present tense of cuidar is regular: cuido, cuidas, cuida, cuidamos, cuidáis, cuidan.
Preterite
yo: cuidé
Cuidar is regular in the preterite: cuidé, cuidaste, cuidó, cuidamos, cuidasteis, cuidaron.
Imperfect
yo: cuidaba
The imperfect of cuidar follows the regular -aba pattern: cuidaba, cuidabas, cuidaba, cuidábamos.
Future
yo: cuidaré
The future of cuidar uses the infinitive plus standard endings: cuidaré, cuidarás, cuidará.
Conditional
yo: cuidaría
The conditional of cuidar is regular: cuidaría, cuidarías, cuidaría, cuidaríamos, cuidaríais, cuidarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: cuide
The present subjunctive of cuidar uses -e endings: cuide, cuides, cuide, cuidemos, cuidéis, cuiden.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: cuida
The imperative of cuidar provides direct commands: cuida (tú), cuidad (vosotros), cuide (usted).
Negative Imperative
yo: no cuides
The negative imperative of cuidar uses 'no' plus the present subjunctive: no cuides, no cuide.