desvelar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
desvelar — to reveal
The imperfect subjunctive, like 'desvelara' or 'desvelase', is used for past hypothetical situations or wishes.
desvelar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive for hypothetical or uncertain situations in the past, or when expressing wishes, doubts, or emotions about past events. It's often found in 'if' clauses referring to unlikely past scenarios, like 'Si yo desvelara el secreto, ¿qué pasaría?' (If I were to reveal the secret, what would happen?). It's also used after certain past-tense verbs expressing influence or emotion.
Notes on desvelar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Desvelar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms exist (e.g., desvelara/desvelase, desvelaras/desvelases, etc.). The -ra form is generally more common.
Example Sentences
Ojalá desvelara pronto la verdad.
I wish he would reveal the truth soon.
él/ella/usted
Si desvelaras tu plan, podríamos ayudarte.
If you were to reveal your plan, we could help you.
tú
Era importante que desveláramos todo.
It was important that we reveal everything.
nosotros
Me pidió que no desvelara su nombre.
He asked me not to reveal his name.
yo
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite or imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For hypothetical past situations or wishes, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si desvelara...' not 'Si desveló...' or 'Si desvelaba...'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is required for expressing non-factual or hypothetical situations, especially in conditional clauses.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: While both are correct, be consistent. The -ra form is often more common in spoken Spanish.
Why: Learners might mix endings or only know one set, leading to errors.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: desvelo
The present tense 'desvelo' (yo) / 'desvela' (él/ella/Ud.) is used for current actions and general truths.
Preterite
yo: desvelé
The preterite of desvelar is regular: desvelé, desvelaste, desveló, desvelamos, desvelasteis, desvelaron.
Imperfect
yo: desvelaba
The imperfect 'desvelaba' is used for ongoing or habitual past actions, like 'I used to reveal'.
Future
yo: desvelaré
The future tense 'desvelaré' (yo) / 'desvelará' (él/ella/Ud.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: desvelaría
The conditional 'desvelaría' (yo/él/ella/Ud.) expresses hypotheticals like 'would reveal'.
Present Subjunctive
yo: desvele
The present subjunctive 'desvele' (yo/él/ella/Ud.) is used for wishes, doubts, and emotions.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: desvela
Use imperative forms like 'desvela' (tú) and 'desvelen' (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no desveles
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive, like 'no desveles' (tú) or 'no desvelen' (ustedes).