desmentir Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
desmentir — to deny
The imperfect subjunctive uses the 'desminti-' stem: desmintiera, desmintieras...
desmentir Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use in 'if' clauses (hypotheticals) or after past-tense verbs of influence or doubt.
Notes on desmentir in the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is derived from the third-person plural preterite (desmintieron), so the 'i' stem carries through all forms.
Example Sentences
Si él desmintiera el rumor, todos estarían más tranquilos.
If he were to deny the rumor, everyone would be calmer.
él/ella/usted
Me pidió que desmintiera mi declaración.
He asked me to deny my statement.
yo
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'desmentiera' (with an 'e').
Correct: The correct form is desmintiera.
Why: The stem must match the preterite third-person stem (desminti-).
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: desmiento
Desmentir follows the e > ie stem change in the 'boot' forms: desmiento, desmientes, desmiente, and desmienten.
Preterite
yo: desmentí
Desmentir has a third-person stem change (e > i): desmintió and desmintieron.
Imperfect
yo: desmentía
Desmentir is completely regular in the imperfect: desmentía, desmentías, desmentía...
Future
yo: desmentiré
Desmentir is regular in the future; just add endings to the infinitive: desmentiré, desmentirás.
Conditional
yo: desmentiría
The conditional is regular: desmentiría, desmentirías, desmentiría...
Present Subjunctive
yo: desmienta
Desmentir changes e > ie in most forms, but e > i in nosotros/vosotros: desmienta, desmintamos.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: desmiente
Give commands to deny something: desmiente (tú), desmienta (usted).
Negative Imperative
yo: no desmientas
Negative commands use the present subjunctive: no desmientas, no desmienta.