detectar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
detectar — to detect
The imperfect subjunctive (detectara/detectase forms) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, and doubts.
detectar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is perfect for talking about hypothetical situations in the past or expressing wishes and doubts that were relevant in the past. For example, 'Si detectara un problema, te lo diría' (If I detected a problem, I would tell you). It's also common in polite requests.
Notes on detectar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Detectar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms are correct, though the -ra form (detectara, detectaras, etc.) is often more common in everyday speech.
Example Sentences
Si yo detectara una falla, avisaría.
If I detected a flaw, I would notify.
yo
Ojalá tú detectaras la verdad.
I wish you would detect the truth.
tú
Era importante que él detectara el peligro.
It was important that he detected the danger.
él/ella/usted
Esperábamos que vosotros detectarais la pista.
We hoped you all would detect the clue.
vosotros
Si ellos detectaran el fraude, lo reportarían.
If they detected the fraud, they would report it.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'detectara' or 'detectase' in hypothetical clauses, not 'detectó'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is required for unreal or hypothetical conditions in the past.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both 'detectara' and 'detectase' are correct imperfect subjunctive forms.
Why: While both are valid, learners often stick to one form, but it's good to recognize both.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: detecto
The present tense (detecto, detectas, etc.) describes current actions, habits, and general truths.
Preterite
yo: detecté
The preterite of detectar is regular: detecté, detectaste, detectó, detectamos, detectasteis, detectaron.
Imperfect
yo: detectaba
The imperfect (detectaba, detectabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions and background.
Future
yo: detectaré
The future tense (detectaré, detectarás, etc.) is used for actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: detectaría
The conditional (detectaría, detectarías, etc.) expresses hypotheticals ('would') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: detecte
The present subjunctive (detecte, detectes, etc.) expresses wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: detecta
Use the imperative forms detecta, detecte, detectemos, detectad, detecten for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no detectes
Use no + present subjunctive forms (no detectes, no detecte, etc.) for negative commands.