esquivar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
esquivar — to dodge
The imperfect subjunctive (esquivara/esquivase) is for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
esquivar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
You'll use the imperfect subjunctive with 'esquivar' for hypothetical situations in the past, or to express a wish or doubt that existed in the past. It often appears in 'if' clauses.
Notes on esquivar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Esquivar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra form (esquivara) or the -se form (esquivase). The -ra form is more common.
Example Sentences
Si yo esquivara la patada, no me habría caído.
If I had dodged the kick, I wouldn't have fallen.
yo
Ojalá él esquivara el peligro.
I wish he would dodge the danger.
él/ella/usted
Dudaba que ustedes esquivaran la pregunta.
I doubted that you all would dodge the question.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Me pidió que esquivase al perro.
He asked me to avoid the dog.
yo
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'esquivara' or 'esquivase', not 'esquivó'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is for hypothetical or unreal situations, while the preterite describes completed actions.
Mistake: Confusing -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'esquivara' and 'esquivase' are correct, but 'esquivara' is generally more common.
Why: While interchangeable in many contexts, mastering both can improve fluency.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: esquivo
The present tense (esquivo) describes actions happening now or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: esquivé
The preterite of esquivar is regular: esquivé, esquivaste, esquivó, esquivamos, esquivasteis, esquivaron.
Imperfect
yo: esquivaba
The imperfect (esquivaba) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: esquivaré
The future tense (esquivaré) expresses what will happen.
Conditional
yo: esquivaría
The conditional (esquivaría) expresses hypotheticals ('would') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: esquive
The present subjunctive (esquive) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, and uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: esquiva
Use 'esquiva' (tú), 'esquive' (usted), 'esquivemos' (nosotros), 'esquiven' (ustedes), 'esquivad' (vosotros), 'esquivéis' (vosotros, Spain).
Negative Imperative
yo: no esquives
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive: no esquives (tú), no esquive (usted), etc.