encarcelar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
encarcelar — to imprison
The imperfect subjunctive of encarcelar expresses past hypotheticals or wishes, like 'si encarcelara' (if I were to imprison).
encarcelar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive of encarcelar for hypothetical situations in the past, wishes, or polite requests that didn't necessarily happen. For example, 'If I were to imprison him, it would be a mistake' or 'I wished you would imprison the guilty party.'
Notes on encarcelar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Encarcelar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se endings are correct, though -ra is generally more common in spoken Spanish. For example, 'encarcelara' and 'encarcelase' both mean 'I might imprison' or 'if I imprisoned'.
Example Sentences
Si yo encarcelara a todos los sospechosos, el pueblo se rebelaría.
If I were to imprison all the suspects, the town would rebel.
yo
Me gustaría que encarcelaras a ese político corrupto.
I would like you to imprison that corrupt politician.
tú
Ojalá él encarcelara a los criminales.
I wish he would imprison the criminals.
él/ella/usted
Ellos actuarían si ustedes encarcelaran a los culpables.
They would act if you all imprisoned the guilty ones.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive in 'if' clauses.
Correct: Use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si encarcelara...' not 'Si encarcelé...'.
Why: Conditional 'if' clauses referring to unlikely or hypothetical situations require the imperfect subjunctive.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the imperfect subjunctive forms.
Correct: Remember the accent: 'encarcelara', 'encarcelaras', etc.
Why: The accent marks the stressed syllable, which is important for pronunciation and meaning.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: encarcielo
The present tense of encarcelar means 'to imprison' or 'is imprisoning,' like 'Yo encarcielo' (I imprison).
Preterite
yo: encarcelé
The preterite of encarcelar is regular: encarcelé, encarcelaste, encarceló, encarcelamos, encarcelasteis, encarcelaron.
Imperfect
yo: encarcelaba
The imperfect of encarcelar describes ongoing or habitual past imprisonment, like 'Yo encarcelaba' (I used to imprison).
Future
yo: encarcelaré
The future tense of encarcelar indicates future actions, like 'Yo encarcelaré' (I will imprison).
Conditional
yo: encarcelaría
The conditional of encarcelar expresses hypothetical actions, like 'Yo encarcelaría' (I would imprison).
Present Subjunctive
yo: encarciele
The present subjunctive of encarcelar is used for wishes, doubts, and emotions, like 'Espero que encarcieles' (I hope you imprison).
Affirmative Imperative
yo: encarciela
The imperative of encarcelar has commands like '¡Encarcela!' (you, singular) and '¡Encarcelad!' (you, plural, Spain).
Negative Imperative
yo: no encarcieles
Negative commands with encarcelar use the present subjunctive, like '¡No encarceles!' (you, singular).