difundir Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation

When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive

You'll use the imperfect subjunctive of 'difundir' when talking about hypothetical situations in the past or expressing wishes and doubts that were relevant in the past. For example, 'Ojalá no se hubiera difundido tanto el rumor.' (I wish the rumor hadn't spread so much.) It often appears in 'if' clauses referring to unreal past conditions.

Notes on difundir in the Imperfect Subjunctive

Difundir is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra (difundiera) and -se (difundiese) forms are correct and interchangeable, though -ra is more common in many regions. The conjugation follows the standard pattern for regular -ir verbs.

Example Sentences

• Si yo hubiera tenido más tiempo, habría difundido el mensaje yo mismo.

  If I had had more time, I would have spread the message myself.

  yo

• Me gustaría que tú difundieras más noticias positivas.

  I would like you to spread more positive news.

  tú

• Era importante que él difundiera la verdad.

  It was important that he spread the truth.

  él/ella/usted

• Esperábamos que ellos difundieran la convocatoria.

  We hoped they would spread the announcement.

  ellos/ellas/ustedes

• Si vosotros difundierais más sobre el tema, más gente lo sabría.

  If you all (Spain) spread more about the topic, more people would know.

  vosotros

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Using the preterite or imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.

  Correct: Use 'difundiera' or 'difundiese' in clauses following expressions of doubt, desire, or in hypothetical 'if' clauses about the past.

  Why: The imperfect subjunctive has specific grammatical triggers and expresses uncertainty or non-factuality.

• Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms, or using only one.

  Correct: Both 'difundiera' and 'difundiese' are correct. The choice can be regional, but both are understood.

  Why: Both endings are standard for the imperfect subjunctive of regular -ir verbs.

Related Tenses