enfriar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
enfriar — to cool
Use the imperfect subjunctive of 'enfriar' (like 'enfriara' or 'enfriase') for past hypotheticals or wishes.
enfriar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
The imperfect subjunctive is used for hypothetical situations, wishes, doubts, or emotions in the past. For 'enfriar', you might say 'Si la masa se enfriara, la hornearía' (If the dough cooled down, I would bake it) or express a desire 'Ojalá se enfriara rápido' (I wish it would cool down quickly).
Notes on enfriar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
The verb 'enfriar' is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se endings are correct, though -ra is more common in many regions. For example, 'enfriara' and 'enfriase' are both valid.
Example Sentences
Si el tiempo se enfriara, podríamos ir a la playa.
If the weather cooled down, we could go to the beach.
él/ella/usted
Esperaba que el café se enfriara un poco.
I hoped the coffee would cool down a bit.
yo
Me pidió que enfriara la habitación.
He asked me to cool the room down.
yo
Si ustedes se enfriaran de esa idea, sería mejor.
If you all cooled down from that idea, it would be better.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive in 'if' clauses.
Correct: For unreal or hypothetical past conditions, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si se enfriara', not 'Si se enfrió'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is required for hypothetical or counterfactual situations.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms, or using the wrong one.
Correct: Both 'enfriara' and 'enfriase' are correct imperfect subjunctive forms. Stick to one consistently or use the -ra form as it's more widely used.
Why: While both are grammatically correct, regional preferences and frequency of use can cause confusion.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: enfrío
The present tense of 'enfriar' ('enfrío', 'enfrías', 'enfría') describes actions happening now or habitual cooling.
Preterite
yo: enfrié
The preterite of 'enfriar' is regular: 'enfrié', 'enfriaste', 'enfrió', 'enfriamos', 'enfriasteis', 'enfriaron'.
Imperfect
yo: enfriaba
The imperfect of 'enfriar' ('enfriaba', 'enfriabas', 'enfriaba') describes ongoing or habitual cooling in the past.
Future
yo: enfriaré
The future tense of 'enfriar' ('enfriaré', 'enfriarás', 'enfriará') indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: enfriaría
The conditional of 'enfriar' ('enfriaría', 'enfriarías', 'enfriaría') is used for hypotheticals ('would cool') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: enfríe
The present subjunctive of 'enfriar' (like 'enfríe' or 'enfríen') is used after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: enfría
Use 'enfriar' imperative for direct commands like 'enfría' (you, informal) or 'enfríe' (you, formal).
Negative Imperative
yo: no enfríes
Negative commands with 'enfriar' use 'no' plus the present subjunctive, like 'no enfríes' (you, informal).