encargar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
encargar — to order
Use the imperfect subjunctive for past hypothetical situations or wishes with 'encargar', like 'si encargara' (if I ordered).
encargar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is for talking about hypothetical or unreal situations in the past, often in 'if' clauses, or expressing wishes or doubts about past events. For example, 'Me gustaría que encargaras el pastel.' (I would like you to order the cake.) or 'Si yo encargara más libros, tendría que leerlos todos.' (If I ordered more books, I would have to read them all.)
Notes on encargar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Encargar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms exist, but -ra is more common. The stem is the infinitive plus the imperfect subjunctive endings.
Example Sentences
Si yo encargara más, no podría pagarlo todo.
If I ordered more, I couldn't afford it all.
yo
Ella quería que tú encargaras el coche.
She wanted you to order the car.
tú
Ojalá él encargara un buen vino.
Hopefully he orders a good wine.
él/ella/usted
Nos pidieron que encargáramos todo con antelación.
They asked us to order everything in advance.
nosotros
Ellos habrían venido si les encargaras el trabajo.
They would have come if you ordered them the job.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive, e.g., 'Si encargaba más libros...' instead of 'Si encargara más libros...'.
Correct: For hypothetical or unreal past conditions, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si encargara más libros...'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is essential for expressing hypothetical or unreal situations.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the nosotros form, writing 'encargamos' instead of 'encargáramos'.
Correct: The nosotros form requires an accent: 'encargáramos'.
Why: The accent marks the correct pronunciation and distinguishes it from the preterite or present indicative.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: encargo
The present tense of 'encargar' is regular: 'encargo', 'encargas', 'encarga', 'encargamos', 'encargáis', 'encargan'.
Preterite
yo: encargué
The preterite of 'encargar' is regular: 'encargué', 'encargaste', 'encargó', 'encargamos', 'encargasteis', 'encargaron'.
Imperfect
yo: encargaba
The imperfect tense of 'encargar' is regular: 'encargaba', 'encargabas', 'encargaba', 'encargábamos', 'encargabais', 'encargaban'.
Future
yo: encargaré
The future tense 'encargar' is regular, with the infinitive as the stem: 'encargaré' (I will order).
Conditional
yo: encargaría
The conditional tense of 'encargar' is regular: 'encargaría', 'encargarías', 'encargaría', 'encargaríamos', 'encargaríais', 'encargarían'.
Present Subjunctive
yo: encargue
Use the present subjunctive for wishes, doubts, or emotions related to ordering, like 'Espero que encargues' (I hope you order).
Affirmative Imperative
yo: encarga
Use the imperative to give direct commands with 'encargar', like 'encarga' (you, informal) or 'encargue' (you, formal).
Negative Imperative
yo: encargues
Use 'no' plus the present subjunctive to form negative commands with 'encargar', like 'no encargues' (don't order).