decretar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
decretar — to decree
The imperfect subjunctive of decretar (decretara, decretaras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals or polite requests.
decretar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive of decretar after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion in the past, or in 'if' clauses referring to unlikely past situations. For example, 'I would have decreed...' or 'If I had decreed...'.
Notes on decretar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Decretar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both -ra and -se endings are possible (e.g., decretara/decretase), but -ra is more common.
Example Sentences
Si decretara un cambio, sería positivo.
If he decreed a change, it would be positive.
él/ella/usted
Ojalá decretáramos más días de vacaciones.
I wish we would decree more vacation days.
nosotros
Me pidió que decretara una nueva ley.
He asked me to decree a new law.
yo
¿Qué harías si decretaras la paz mundial?
What would you do if you decreed world peace?
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'decretara' or 'decretase' in hypothetical or past subjunctive clauses.
Why: The preterite indicates completed past actions, not past hypotheticals or wishes.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'decretara' and 'decretase' are correct imperfect subjunctive forms for 'yo/él/ella/usted'.
Why: Learners may be unsure which ending to use or if both are valid.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'decretar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: decreto
The present tense of decretar is regular: decreto, decretas, decreta, decretamos, decretáis, decretan.
Preterite
yo: decreté
The preterite of decretar is regular: decreté, decretaste, decretó, decretamos, decretasteis, decretaron.
Imperfect
yo: decretaba
The imperfect of decretar is regular: decretaba, decretabas, decretaba, decretábamos, decretabais, decretaban.
Future
yo: decretaré
The future of decretar is regular: decretaré, decretarás, decretará, decretaremos, decretaréis, decretarán.
Conditional
yo: decretaría
The conditional of decretar is regular: decretaría, decretarías, decretaría, decretaríamos, decretaríais, decretarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: decrete
The present subjunctive of decretar (decrete, decretes, etc.) expresses wishes, doubts, or emotions about current or future actions.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: decreta
The imperative of decretar is used for direct commands: decreta, decrete, decretemos, decretad, decreten.
Negative Imperative
yo: no decretes
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive forms: no decretes, no decrete, no decretemos, no decretéis, no decreten.