
descuidar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
descuidar — to neglect
The imperfect subjunctive of descuidar (descuidara/descuidase) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, and polite requests.
descuidar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is perfect for talking about past hypothetical situations or expressing wishes that didn't come true. For example, 'I wish I hadn't neglected my homework' or 'If only he wouldn't neglect his health.'
Notes on descuidar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Descuidar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms are common, e.g., 'descuidara' and 'descuidase' are interchangeable for most pronouns.
Example Sentences
Ojalá no descuidara tanto mi alimentación.
I wish I didn't neglect my diet so much.
yo
Si descuidaras tus estudios, tus padres se preocuparían.
If you neglected your studies, your parents would worry.
tú
Me pidió que no descuidara a los niños.
He asked me not to neglect the children.
yo
Ellos actuaron como si no descuidaran nada.
They acted as if they neglected nothing.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive for past wishes.
Correct: Use 'Si no descuidara...' not 'Si no descuidé...'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is specifically for hypothetical or unreal situations in the past.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both 'descuidara' and 'descuidase' are correct imperfect subjunctive forms.
Why: While one might be preferred regionally, both are grammatically valid.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: descuido
The present tense of descuidar (descuido, descuidas, etc.) describes current actions, habits, or general truths about neglecting things.
Preterite
yo: descuidé
The preterite of descuidar is regular: descuidé, descuidaste, descuidó, descuidamos, descuidasteis, descuidaron.
Imperfect
yo: descuidaba
The imperfect of descuidar (descuidaba, descuidabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past neglect.
Future
yo: descuidaré
The future tense of descuidar (descuidaré, descuidarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen or expresses probability about neglecting something.
Conditional
yo: descuidaría
The conditional of descuidar (descuidaría, descuidarías, etc.) is used for hypotheticals ('would'), polite requests, and future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: descuide
The present subjunctive of descuidar (descuide, descuides, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: descuida
Use the imperative of descuidar for direct commands: descuida (tú), descuide (usted), descuidemos (nosotros), descuiden (ustedes), descuidad (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no descuides
Negative commands use the present subjunctive: no descuides (tú), no descuide (usted), no descuidemos (nosotros), no descuiden (ustedes), no descuidéis (vosotros).