elaborar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
elaborar — to make
Use 'elaborara' or 'elaborase' for past hypothetical situations, wishes, or doubts related to 'elaborar'.
elaborar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is great for talking about things that *might have happened* or that you *wished would happen* in the past. It's common in 'if' clauses describing unreal situations. For example, 'Si elaborara más, tendría éxito' means 'If he made more, he would be successful.'
Notes on elaborar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Elaborar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the '-ra' form (elaborara, elaboraras, etc.) or the '-se' form (elaborase, elaborases, etc.). The '-ra' form is generally more common in spoken Spanish.
Example Sentences
Ojalá elaborara un mejor informe.
I wish he would make a better report.
él/ella/usted
Si yo elaborara más rápido, terminaría hoy.
If I made it faster, I would finish today.
yo
Me pidieron que elaborara un borrador.
They asked me to make a draft.
yo
Era importante que ellos elaboraran un acuerdo.
It was important that they made an agreement.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
¿Qué harías si elaboraras tu propio coche?
What would you do if you made your own car?
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'Si elaborara' instead of 'Si elaboraba' in hypothetical 'if' clauses.
Why: The subjunctive mood is required for unreal or hypothetical conditions.
Mistake: Confusing the '-ra' and '-se' endings.
Correct: Both 'elaborara' and 'elaborase' are correct imperfect subjunctive forms for 'yo', but '-ra' is often more common.
Why: Learners might not know both forms exist or which is more prevalent.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: elaboro
The present tense of 'elaborar' is regular: elaboro, elaboras, elabora, elaboramos, elaboráis, elaboran.
Preterite
yo: elaboré
The preterite of 'elaborar' is regular: elaboré, elaboraste, elaboró, elaboramos, elaborasteis, elaboraron.
Imperfect
yo: elaboraba
The imperfect of 'elaborar' is regular: elaboraba, elaborabas, elaboraba, elaborábamos, elaborabais, elaboraban.
Future
yo: elaboraré
The future tense of 'elaborar' is regular: elaboraré, elaborarás, elaborará, elaboraremos, elaboraréis, elaborarán.
Conditional
yo: elaboraría
The conditional of 'elaborar' is regular: elaboraría, elaborarías, elaboraría, elaboraríamos, elaboraríais, elaborarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: elabore
Use 'elabore', 'elaboremos', 'elaboren' for wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty with 'elaborar'.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: elabora
Use 'elabora', 'elabore', 'elaboremos', 'elaboren', 'elaborad' for direct commands with 'elaborar'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no elabores
Use 'no elabores', 'no elabore', 'no elaboremos', 'no elaboren', 'no elaboreis' for negative commands with 'elaborar'.