derramar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
derramar — to spill
The imperfect subjunctive of derramar (derramara/derramase) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
derramar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is used for hypothetical situations in the past, unreal conditions, or polite requests that happened or were considered in the past. It often appears in 'if' clauses (si...) or after expressions of doubt or desire referring to the past.
Notes on derramar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Derramar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se endings are correct, though -ra is more common in many regions.
Example Sentences
Si derramara vino en la alfombra, mi madre se enfadaría.
If I spilled wine on the carpet, my mother would get angry.
yo
Me pidió que no derramara el café.
He asked me not to spill the coffee.
yo
Ojalá no derramaras la tinta.
I wish you wouldn't spill the ink.
tú
Quería que él derramara la pintura en el lienzo.
I wanted him to spill the paint on the canvas.
él/ella/usted
Ellos deseaban que no derramaran la sopa.
They wished they wouldn't spill the soup.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of imperfect subjunctive in 'if' clauses, e.g., 'Si derramé vino...'
Correct: Use the imperfect subjunctive for hypothetical past conditions: 'Si derramara vino...'
Why: The imperfect subjunctive sets up a hypothetical or unreal past scenario, while the preterite describes a completed past action.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms, or using them incorrectly.
Correct: Both 'derramara' and 'derramase' are correct imperfect subjunctive forms. Use 'derramara' in most cases.
Why: While both are grammatically correct, regional preferences and consistency are important.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'derramar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: derramo
The present tense of derramar means 'to spill' (derramo, derramas, derrama...) and is used for current or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: derramé
The preterite of derramar indicates completed actions like 'I spilled' (derramé) or 'they spilled' (derramaron).
Imperfect
yo: derramaba
The imperfect of derramar describes ongoing or habitual past actions like 'used to spill' (derramaba) or 'was spilling' (derramaba).
Future
yo: derramaré
The future tense of derramar predicts future actions ('will spill' - derramaré, derramarás...).
Conditional
yo: derramaría
The conditional of derramar expresses hypothetical actions ('would spill' - derramaría) or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: derrame
The present subjunctive of derramar (derrame, derrames, etc.) is used for wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: derrama
Use the imperative of derramar for direct commands: ¡derrama!, ¡derrame!, ¡derramemos!, ¡derramad!, ¡derramen!.
Negative Imperative
yo: no derrames
Use negative commands with 'no' plus the present subjunctive: ¡no derrames!, ¡no derrame!, ¡no derramemos!, ¡no derraméis!, ¡no derramen!.