detener Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
detener — to stop
The imperfect subjunctive of detener uses the preterite stem 'detuvier-'.
detener Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this for hypotheticals (If I stopped...) or after past-tense triggers of the subjunctive (They wanted me to stop).
Notes on detener in the Imperfect Subjunctive
It is derived from the third-person plural preterite (detuvieron). Drop the -on and add -a, -as, -a, etc.
Example Sentences
Si yo detuviera el tiempo, dormiría más.
If I stopped time, I would sleep more.
yo
Me pidieron que detuviera el proceso.
They asked me to stop the process.
él/ella/usted
Si nos detuviéramos a pensar, no lo haríamos.
If we stopped to think, we wouldn't do it.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'deteniera' or 'detenera'.
Correct: detuviera
Why: The imperfect subjunctive always follows the irregular preterite stem 'detuv-'.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: detengo
The present tense of detener is irregular, featuring a 'go' form in the first person (detengo) and a stem change (e to ie) in others.
Preterite
yo: detuve
The preterite of detener is highly irregular, using the 'uv' stem: detuve, detuviste, detuvo, detuvimos, detuvisteis, detuvieron.
Imperfect
yo: detenía
The imperfect of detener is regular: detenía, detenías, detenía, deteníamos, deteníais, detenían.
Future
yo: detendré
The future tense of detener uses the irregular stem 'detendr-': detendré, detendrás, detendrá, etc.
Conditional
yo: detendría
The conditional of detener uses the irregular stem 'detendr-': detendría, detendrías, etc.
Present Subjunctive
yo: detenga
The present subjunctive of detener is based on the 'yo' form: detenga, detengas, detenga, detengamos, detengáis, detengan.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: detén
The imperative for detener has a short 'tú' form: detén.
Negative Imperative
yo: no detengas
The negative imperative of detener uses the present subjunctive: no detengas, no detenga, no detengamos, no detengáis, no detengan.