derivar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
derivar — to refer
The imperfect subjunctive ('derivara'/'derivase') expresses past doubts, wishes, or hypothetical situations.
derivar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is often used in 'if' clauses referring to unlikely or hypothetical situations in the past, or after verbs expressing doubt, desire, or emotion about a past event. For example, 'Si yo derivara más ingresos...' (If I derived more income...) or 'Dudaba que él derivara la respuesta correcta.' (I doubted he would derive the correct answer).
Notes on derivar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Derivar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. It has two forms, the -ra form (derivara) and the -se form (derivase), which are interchangeable. The -ra form is generally more common in spoken Spanish.
Example Sentences
Si yo derivara más tiempo libre, viajaría más.
If I derived more free time, I would travel more.
yo
Era importante que tú derivaras una solución.
It was important that you derive a solution.
tú
El profesor esperaba que ellos derivaran la respuesta.
The teacher hoped they would derive the answer.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Nos pidieron que deriváramos el informe a otro departamento.
They asked us to refer the report to another department.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'derivara' or 'derivase' instead of 'derivaba' in hypothetical or dependent clauses.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is required after certain conjunctions and verbs expressing doubt, desire, or conditionality.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'derivara' and 'derivase' are correct, though '-ra' is more common.
Why: Learners might only know one form or incorrectly believe one is always preferred.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: derivo
The present tense of 'derivar' ('derivo') describes current actions, habits, or general truths.
Preterite
yo: derivé
The preterite of 'derivar' is regular: derivé, derivaste, derivó, derivamos, derivasteis, derivaron.
Imperfect
yo: derivaba
The imperfect of 'derivar' ('derivaba') describes past habits, ongoing actions, or background descriptions.
Future
yo: derivaré
The future tense of 'derivar' ('derivaré') indicates actions that will happen or expresses probability.
Conditional
yo: derivaría
The conditional of 'derivar' ('derivaría') is used for hypotheticals ('would derive'), polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: derive
The present subjunctive ('derive') is used for wishes, doubts, emotions, and recommendations about the present or future.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: deriva
Use the imperative of 'derivar' for direct commands like 'deriva' (you, informal) or 'deriven' (you all).
Negative Imperative
yo: no derives
Negative commands use the present subjunctive: 'no derives' (you, informal), 'no deriven' (you all).