debilitar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
debilitar — to weaken
The imperfect subjunctive of debilitar (e.g., debilitara, debilitase) is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
debilitar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is perfect for talking about past hypothetical situations or expressing wishes and doubts in the past. For example, 'Si debilitara la estructura, se caería' means 'If it weakened the structure, it would fall.'
Notes on debilitar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Debilitar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can form it using either the '-ra' or '-se' ending, and the conjugations are identical for both sets of endings.
Example Sentences
Si el medicamento debilitara sus defensas, el doctor lo suspendería.
If the medicine weakened his defenses, the doctor would suspend it.
él/ella/usted
Ojalá no debilitaras la amistad con tus comentarios.
I wish you wouldn't weaken the friendship with your comments.
tú
Dudábamos que el frío debilitara las plantas tan rápido.
We doubted that the cold would weaken the plants so quickly.
él/ella/usted
Ellos habrían ganado si el equipo contrario no debilitara su estrategia.
They would have won if the opposing team hadn't weakened their strategy.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: It should be 'Si debilitara...', not 'Si debilitaba...'.
Why: Hypothetical 'if' clauses referring to unreal or unlikely situations in the past require the imperfect subjunctive.
Mistake: Confusing the '-ra' and '-se' forms, or using incorrect endings.
Correct: Ensure you use the correct endings for the imperfect subjunctive, like 'debilitara' or 'debilitase'.
Why: Both sets of endings are valid, but learners sometimes mix them up or use incorrect personal endings.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: debilito
The present tense of debilitar (debilitó, debilitas, etc.) describes current actions or general truths.
Preterite
yo: debilité
The preterite of debilitar is regular: debilité, debilitaste, debilitó, debilitamos, debilitasteis, debilitaron.
Imperfect
yo: debilitaba
The imperfect of debilitar (debilitaba, debilitabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: debilitaré
The future tense of debilitar (debiliré, debilitarás, etc.) is regular and used for future actions or probability.
Conditional
yo: debilitaría
The conditional of debilitar (debilitaía, debilitarías, etc.) is regular and used for hypotheticals ('would') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: debilite
The present subjunctive of debilitar (debilite, debilites, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: debilita
The imperative of debilitar is regular in the affirmative tú form: debilita.
Negative Imperative
yo: no debilites
Negative commands for debilitar use the present subjunctive: no debilites, no debilite, etc.