desbordar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
desbordar — to overflow
The imperfect subjunctive, like 'desbordara' or 'desbordase', is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
desbordar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is perfect for talking about hypothetical situations or conditions in the past, often in 'if' clauses. For example, 'Si el río desbordara, la gente tendría que evacuar' (If the river were to overflow, people would have to evacuate). It's also used for polite requests or expressing wishes about the past.
Notes on desbordar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
'Desbordar' is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra or -se endings (e.g., desbordara/desbordase, desbordaras/desbordases), though -ra is more common in many regions.
Example Sentences
Ojalá no desbordara el embalse con tanta lluvia.
I wish the reservoir wouldn't overflow with so much rain.
él/ella/usted
Si el agua desbordara, ¿qué haríamos?
If the water were to overflow, what would we do?
nosotros
Me gustaría que no desbordaras la taza de café.
I would like you not to overflow the coffee cup.
tú
Ellos actuaron como si la presa desbordase.
They acted as if the dam were overflowing.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive in hypothetical clauses.
Correct: For 'If it rained', use 'Si lloviera' (subjunctive), not 'Si llovía' (indicative). For 'desbordar', it's 'Si desbordara...', not 'Si desbordaba...'.
Why: Hypothetical or contrary-to-fact conditions require the subjunctive mood.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'desbordara' and 'desbordase' are correct imperfect subjunctive forms for él/ella/usted.
Why: While regional preferences exist, both are grammatically valid imperfect subjunctive endings.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: desbordo
The present tense 'desbordo', 'desbordas', 'desborda', etc., describes ongoing actions, habits, or general truths.
Preterite
yo: desbordé
The preterite of desbordar is regular: desbordé, desbordaste, desbordó, desbordamos, desbordasteis, desbordaron.
Imperfect
yo: desbordaba
The imperfect 'desbordaba' describes ongoing or habitual past actions, like 'the river was overflowing'.
Future
yo: desbordaré
The future tense 'desbordaré', 'desbordarás', etc., talks about what will happen.
Conditional
yo: desbordaría
The conditional 'desbordaría', 'desbordarías', etc., is used for hypotheticals ('would') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: desborde
The present subjunctive, like 'desborde' (él/ella/usted) or 'desbordes' (tú), expresses wishes, doubts, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: desborda
Use imperative forms like 'desborda' (tú) for direct commands, 'desborden' (ustedes) for plural polite commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no desbordes
Use 'no' plus the present subjunctive, like 'no desbordes' (tú) or 'no desborden' (ustedes), for negative commands.