decir Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
decir — to say
The imperfect subjunctive uses the 'dijer-' stem: dijera, dijeras, dijera, dijéramos, dijerais, dijeran.
decir Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this in 'if' clauses (e.g., 'If I said...') or when the main verb is in the past and requires the subjunctive.
Notes on decir in the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is derived from the third-person plural of the preterite (dijeron). Note the accent on the 'e' in the nosotros form (dijéramos).
Example Sentences
Si yo dijera eso, me matarían.
If I said that, they would kill me.
yo
Me pidió que no dijera nada.
He asked me not to say anything.
yo
Common Mistakes
Mistake: deciera
Correct: dijera
Why: The imperfect subjunctive must follow the preterite 'j' stem.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: digo
Decir is a 'yo-go' and e-to-i stem-changing verb: digo, dices, dice, decimos, decís, dicen.
Preterite
yo: dije
The preterite of decir is highly irregular, using the 'j' stem: dije, dijiste, dijo, dijimos, dijisteis, dijeron.
Imperfect
yo: decía
Decir is regular in the imperfect: decía, decías, decía, decíamos, decíais, decían.
Future
yo: diré
Decir has an irregular stem (dir-) in the future: diré, dirás, dirá, diremos, diréis, dirán.
Conditional
yo: diría
The conditional of decir uses the irregular stem 'dir-': diría, dirías, diría, diríamos, diríais, dirían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: diga
The present subjunctive of decir builds off the 'yo' form: diga, digas, diga, digamos, digáis, digan.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: di
The affirmative command for decir is uniquely short for 'tú': di, diga, digamos, decid, digan.
Negative Imperative
yo: no digas
Negative commands for decir use the present subjunctive: no digas, no diga, no digamos, no digáis, no digan.