envidiar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
envidiar — to envy
The imperfect subjunctive of envidiar (envidiara/envidiase) expresses hypothetical past envy or wishes.
envidiar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is used for hypothetical situations in the past, unlikely wishes, or polite requests, often appearing in 'if' clauses. For example, 'If I had envied him, I would have acted differently.'
Notes on envidiar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Envidiar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra or -se ending (e.g., envidiara or envidiase); the -ra form is more common.
Example Sentences
Si yo envidiara su talento, estudiaría más.
If I envied his talent, I would study more.
yo
Me gustaría que no envidiaran tanto las posesiones ajenas.
I wish they didn't envy others' possessions so much.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Él actuaría diferente si envidiase tu posición.
He would act differently if he envied your position.
él/ella/usted
Yo no pensaba que tú envidiaras mi vida.
I didn't think you envied my life.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive in hypothetical clauses.
Correct: For 'if' clauses about unreal situations, use 'si envidiara' or 'si envidiase', not 'si envidió'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is required for hypothetical or contrary-to-fact conditions.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'envidiara' and 'envidiase' are correct, but 'envidiara' is generally more common.
Why: Learners might stick to one form or incorrectly assume one is wrong.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: envidio
The present tense of envidiar is envidio, envidias, envidia, envidiamos, envidiáis, envidian, used for current feelings of envy or general truths about it.
Preterite
yo: envidié
The preterite of envidiar is regular: envidié, envidiaste, envidió, envidiamos, envidiasteis, envidiaron, used for completed acts of envying.
Imperfect
yo: envidiaba
The imperfect of envidiar is envidiaba, envidiabas, envidiaba, envidiábamos, envidiabais, envidiaban, used for past habits, ongoing states, or descriptions involving envy.
Future
yo: envidiaré
The future tense of envidiar is envidiaré, envidiarás, envidiará, envidiarémos, envidiaréis, envidiarán, used for predictions or promises about future envy.
Conditional
yo: envidiaría
The conditional of envidiar is envidiaría, envidiarías, envidiaría, envidiaríamos, envidiaríais, envidiarían, used for hypothetical envy or polite suggestions.
Present Subjunctive
yo: envidie
The present subjunctive of envidiar is envidie, envidies, envidiemos, envidien, envidiéis, used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: envidia
Commands in the imperative are regular for envidiar: envidia (tú), envidie (usted), envidiemos (nosotros), envidien (ustedes), envidiad (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no envidies
Negative commands for envidiar use the present subjunctive: no envidies (tú), no envidie (usted), no envidiemos (nosotros), no envidien (ustedes), no envidiéis (vosotros).