determinar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
determinar — to decide
The imperfect subjunctive of determinar, like 'determinara' or 'determinase', is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
determinar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is for hypothetical situations in the past, wishes, doubts, or polite requests that were relevant in a past context. Imagine talking about a past decision that might have happened differently.
Notes on determinar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Determinar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms are available, e.g., 'determinara' or 'determinase', 'determinaran' or 'determinaseñ'. The -ra form is more common.
Example Sentences
Si yo determinara el curso, elegiría un camino más seguro.
If I decided the course, I would choose a safer path.
yo
Me gustaría que tú determinaras la fecha.
I would like you to decide the date.
tú
Ellos actuaron como si él determinara todo.
They acted as if he decided everything.
él/ella/usted
Ojalá nosotros determináramos mejor.
I wish we would decide better.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For past hypotheticals or wishes, use forms like 'determinara' or 'determinase'.
Why: The preterite describes completed actions, while the imperfect subjunctive deals with uncertainty, desire, or hypothetical conditions in the past.
Mistake: Mixing -ra and -se endings incorrectly.
Correct: Ensure you use consistent endings for each verb, e.g., 'determinara' for singular 'yo/él/ella/usted' or 'determinase' for the same.
Why: While both sets of endings are valid, learners can sometimes mix them up or use them inconsistently.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: determino
The present indicative of determinar, like 'determino' or 'determinan', describes current or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: determiné
The preterite of determinar is regular: determiné, determinaste, determinó, determinamos, determinasteis, determinaron.
Imperfect
yo: determinaba
The imperfect of determinar, like 'determinaba' or 'determinaban', describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: determinaré
The future tense of determinar, like 'determinaré' or 'determinarán', indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: determinaría
The conditional of determinar, like 'determinaría' or 'determinarían', expresses hypotheticals ('would decide').
Present Subjunctive
yo: determine
The present subjunctive of determinar, like 'determine' or 'determinen', follows expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: determina
The imperative of determinar is mostly regular, with 'determina' for tú and 'determinad' for vosotros.
Negative Imperative
yo: no determines
Negative commands for determinar use the present subjunctive with 'no', like 'no determines' or 'no determinen'.