derrumbar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
derrumbar — to knock down
The imperfect subjunctive, like 'derrumbaras' or 'derrumbaramos', is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
derrumbar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is perfect for talking about hypothetical situations in the past, expressing wishes, or in 'if' clauses referring to past possibilities. For example, 'If I had knocked down the house...' or 'I wish they would have knocked down the fence'.
Notes on derrumbar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Derrumbar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive, following the standard -ra or -se endings.
Example Sentences
Si derrumbaras esa casa, habría un jardín.
If you were to knock down that house, there would be a garden.
tú
Me gustaría que derrumbaran el edificio viejo.
I would like them to knock down the old building.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Ojalá yo hubiera podido derrumbar el árbol.
I wish I had been able to knock down the tree.
yo
Era importante que derrumbáramos la estructura dañada.
It was important that we knock down the damaged structure.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'derrumbaras' and 'derrumbaras' are correct for the tú form, as are 'derrumbaran' and 'derrumbaran' for ellos/ellas/ustedes. The -ra form is generally more common.
Why: Learners might not know that both sets of endings are valid, or they might mix them up.
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'Si derrumbaras' (subjunctive) not 'Si derrumbabas' (indicative) for hypothetical past situations.
Why: The subjunctive mood is required for hypothetical and counterfactual statements.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: derrumbo
The present tense of derrumbar is regular: derrumbo, derrumbas, derrumba, derrumbamos, derrumbáis, derrumban.
Preterite
yo: derrumbé
The preterite of derrumbar is regular: derrumbé, derrumbaste, derrumbó, derrumbamos, derrumbasteis, derrumbaron.
Imperfect
yo: derrumbaba
The imperfect of derrumbar is regular: derrumbaba, derrumbabas, derrumbaba, derrumbábamos, derrumbabais, derrumbaban.
Future
yo: derrumbaré
The future tense of derrumbar is regular: derrumbaré, derrumbarás, derrumbará, derrumbaremos, derrumbaréis, derrumbarán.
Conditional
yo: derrumbaría
The conditional of derrumbar is regular: derrumbaría, derrumbarías, derrumbaría, derrumbaríamos, derrumbaríais, derrumbarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: derrumbe
The present subjunctive, like 'derrumbe' or 'derumbes', expresses wishes, doubts, or emotions.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: derrumba
Use imperative forms like 'derrumbe' and 'derrumbe' for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no derrumbes
Negative commands like 'no derrumbes' and 'no derrumben' use the present subjunctive with 'no'.