decepcionar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
decepcionar — to disappoint
The imperfect subjunctive ('decepcionara'/'decepcionase') expresses past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
decepcionar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is used for hypothetical situations in the past, or when expressing a wish or doubt that was relevant in the past. For example, 'If I hadn't disappointed you...' or 'I wished you wouldn't disappoint me.'
Notes on decepcionar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Decepcionar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se endings are correct, with -ra generally being more common.
Example Sentences
Si no te hubiera decepcionado, estarías aquí.
If I hadn't disappointed you, you would be here.
él/ella/usted
Me pidió que no lo decepcionara.
He asked me not to disappoint him.
él/ella/usted
Dudaba que nos decepcionaran.
I doubted they would disappoint us.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Ojalá no te decepcionaras con mi decisión.
I hope you wouldn't be disappointed with my decision.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'si no te decepcionara', not 'si no te decepcionaba'.
Why: Conditional clauses ('if') often require the subjunctive mood.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'decepcionara' and 'decepcionase' are correct for the yo/él/ella/usted form.
Why: Learners might only know one set of endings or incorrectly mix them.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: decepciono
The present tense 'decepciono', 'decepcionas', 'decepciona' describes current actions or habits of disappointing.
Preterite
yo: decepcioné
The preterite of 'decepcionar' is regular: decepcioné, decepcionaste, decepcionó, decepcionamos, decepcionasteis, decepcionaron.
Imperfect
yo: decepcionaba
The imperfect 'decepcionaba', 'decepcionabas' describes past habits, ongoing actions, or background settings related to disappointment.
Future
yo: decepcionaré
The future tense 'decepcionaré', 'decepcionarás' indicates actions that will happen, or expresses probability.
Conditional
yo: decepcionaría
The conditional 'decepcionaría', 'decepcionarías' expresses hypothetical outcomes ('would'), polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: decepcione
The present subjunctive ('decepcione', 'decepciones') follows expressions of doubt, emotion, desire, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: decepciona
Use 'decepciona' (tú) and 'decepcione' (usted) for direct commands, 'decepcionad' (vosotros), and 'decepcionemos/decepcionen' (nosotros/ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no decepciones
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive: 'no decepciones' (tú), 'no decepcione' (usted), etc.