desistir Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
desistir — to give up
The imperfect subjunctive of desistir (desistiera, desistieras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals or polite requests.
desistir Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
You'll use the imperfect subjunctive for hypothetical situations in the past ('If I had stopped...'), unreal conditions, or softer, more polite requests or suggestions, especially after phrases like 'I wish' or 'It would be good if'.
Notes on desistir in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Desistir is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You'll see two common forms for each person (e.g., 'desistiera' and 'desistiese'), but the '-ra' form is generally more common and preferred.
Example Sentences
Si yo hubiera sabido que era tan difícil, no habría desistido.
If I had known it was so difficult, I would not have given up.
yo
Ojalá tú no desistieras tan fácilmente.
I wish you wouldn't give up so easily.
tú
Sería mejor que él desistiera de esa idea loca.
It would be better if he gave up that crazy idea.
él/ella/usted
Nos pidieron que no desistieramos hasta encontrarlo.
They asked us not to give up until we found it.
nosotros
Ellos no desistieran aunque supieran la verdad.
They wouldn't give up even if they knew the truth.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite or imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use forms like 'desistiera' or 'desistiese' in hypothetical or wish clauses.
Why: The subjunctive mood is required to express doubt, desire, or hypothetical situations, which the indicative cannot do.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both 'desistiera' and 'desistiese' are correct, but '-ra' is more common. Stick to one set if you're unsure.
Why: Both are valid imperfect subjunctive endings, but learners often get confused about which to use or if they are interchangeable.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: desisto
The present tense of desistir (desisto, desistes, etc.) means to give up habitually or right now.
Preterite
yo: desistí
The preterite of desistir is regular: desistí, desististe, desistió, desistimos, desististeis, desistieron.
Imperfect
yo: desistía
The imperfect of desistir (desistía, desistías, etc.) describes past habits or ongoing actions of giving up.
Future
yo: desistiré
The future tense of desistir (desistiré, desistirás, etc.) expresses that someone will give up.
Conditional
yo: desistiría
The conditional of desistir (desistiría, desistirías, etc.) expresses 'would give up' or polite suggestions.
Present Subjunctive
yo: desista
The present subjunctive of desistir (desista, desistas, etc.) follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: desiste
Desist has regular imperative forms like desiste, desista, desistamos, desistan, desistid.
Negative Imperative
yo: no desistas
Negative commands for desistir use 'no' + present subjunctive: no desistas, no desista, no desistamos, no desistan, no desistáis.