entrevistar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
entrevistar — to interview
The imperfect subjunctive 'entrevistara' or 'entrevistase' is used for hypothetical situations or past wishes/doubts about interviews.
entrevistar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is for talking about unlikely or hypothetical situations, past desires, or doubts related to interviewing. For example, 'Ojalá entrevistara a mi autor favorito' (I wish I could interview my favorite author) or 'Si entrevistara a más gente, sabría más' (If I interviewed more people, I would know more). It often appears in conditional sentences ('if...then').
Notes on entrevistar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Entrevistar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra form (entrevistara) or the -se form (entrevistase), though the -ra form is more common in many regions.
Example Sentences
Si yo entrevistara a los testigos, tendría más información.
If I interviewed the witnesses, I would have more information.
yo
Quería que tú entrevistaras al nuevo director.
I wanted you to interview the new director.
tú
Ella actuaría diferente si entrevistara a alguien importante.
She would act differently if she interviewed someone important.
Era importante que ellos entrevistaran a todos los candidatos.
It was important that they interviewed all the candidates.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For hypothetical 'if' clauses or past wishes, use 'entrevistara' or 'entrevistase', not 'entrevistó'.
Why: The preterite describes completed past actions, while the imperfect subjunctive deals with hypothetical or non-factual situations.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'entrevistara' and 'entrevistase' are correct, but be consistent.
Why: While both are grammatically correct, regional preferences or specific contexts might favor one over the other.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: entrevisto
The present tense 'entrevisto', 'entrevistas', 'entrevista' is used for current or habitual interviews.
Preterite
yo: entrevisté
The preterite of 'entrevistar' is regular: entrevisté, entrevistaste, entrevistó, entrevistamos, entrevistasteis, entrevistaron.
Imperfect
yo: entrevistaba
The imperfect 'entrevistaba' describes ongoing or habitual past interviews.
Future
yo: entrevistaré
The future tense 'entrevistaré', 'entrevistarás', 'entrevistará' indicates interviews that will happen.
Conditional
yo: entrevistaría
The conditional 'entrevistaría' expresses 'would interview' for hypotheticals or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: entreviste
Use 'entreviste' (yo/él/ella/usted) or 'entrevisten' (ellos/ellas/ustedes) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion about interviews.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: entrevista
Use 'entrevista' (tú) and 'entreviste' (usted) to give direct commands when interviewing someone.
Negative Imperative
yo: no entrevistes
Use 'no entrevistes' (tú) or 'no entreviste' (usted) for negative commands, like 'Don't interview them'.