doblar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
doblar — to fold
The imperfect subjunctive 'doblara' or 'doblará' describes hypothetical past actions or is used in polite requests.
doblar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive for hypothetical situations in the past, wishes, or polite requests that refer to a past context. For 'doblar', you might say 'I would fold it if you asked me' or 'If only he folded it correctly.'
Notes on doblar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
'Doblar' is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra form (e.g., 'doblara') or the -se form (e.g., 'doblase'), but the -ra form is more common in everyday speech.
Example Sentences
Si yo tuviera tiempo, doblara la ropa.
If I had time, I would fold the clothes.
yo
Me pidió que doblara las sábanas.
He asked me to fold the sheets.
yo
Ojalá ellos doblaran las servilletas con más cuidado.
I wish they would fold the napkins more carefully.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
¿Doblaras el mapa antes de guardarlo?
Would you fold the map before putting it away?
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive in 'if' clauses.
Correct: For hypotheticals, use 'doblara' or 'doblaras', not 'dobló' or 'doblaste'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive sets up a hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situation, while the preterite describes a completed action.
Mistake: Using the present subjunctive form ('doble') in a past context.
Correct: When referring to past hypotheticals or wishes, use the imperfect subjunctive forms like 'doblara'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is used for past hypothetical or unreal conditions.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: doblo
The present tense 'doblo' is regular and used for current actions, habits, and general truths.
Preterite
yo: doblé
The preterite of 'doblar' is regular: doblé, doblaste, dobló, doblamos, doblasteis, doblaron.
Imperfect
yo: doblaba
The imperfect of 'doblar' is regular: doblaba, doblabas, doblaba, doblábamos, doblabais, doblaban.
Future
yo: doblaré
The future tense 'doblaré' is regular and indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: doblaría
The conditional 'doblaría' is regular and used for hypotheticals ('would') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: doble
The present subjunctive 'doble' is used after expressions of doubt, emotion, or desire.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: dobla
Use 'dobla' (tú) and 'doble' (usted) for direct commands; 'doblad' (vosotros) and 'doblen' (ustedes) for plural commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no dobles
Use 'no dobles' (tú), 'no doble' (usted), 'no doblen' (ustedes), and 'no dobléis' (vosotros) for negative commands.