estafar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
estafar — to scam
The imperfect subjunctive of estafar (estafara/estafase) is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
estafar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is for hypothetical situations in the past, expressing wishes, doubts, or emotions that were unrealized or uncertain. For 'estafar,' imagine scenarios like 'If I had scammed him...' or 'I wish they hadn't scammed us...'.
Notes on estafar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Estafar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms are correct, though -ra is more common in many regions. The forms are: estafara, estafaras, estafara, estafáramos, estafarais, estafaran (and the -se equivalents).
Example Sentences
Si yo te hubiera estafado, me sentiría fatal.
If I had scammed you, I would feel terrible.
yo
Ojalá no nos estafaran con esos precios.
I wish they wouldn't scam us with those prices.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Me sorprendería que él te estafara.
It would surprise me if he scammed you.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For past hypotheticals or wishes, use forms like 'estafara' or 'estafase'.
Why: The preterite describes completed actions, while the imperfect subjunctive deals with unreal or hypothetical past situations.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both sets of endings are valid, but '-ra' is generally more common. For example, 'estafara' and 'estafase' are both correct for 'él/ella/usted'.
Why: Learners might only know one set of endings or get them mixed up.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: estafo
The present tense of estafar (estafo, estafas, estafa, etc.) describes habitual or current scams.
Preterite
yo: estafé
The preterite of estafar is regular: estafé, estafaste, estafó, estafamos, estafasteis, estafaron.
Imperfect
yo: estafaba
The imperfect of estafar (estafaba) describes habitual or ongoing past scams.
Future
yo: estafaré
The future tense of estafar (estafaré, estafarás, etc.) predicts or speculates about future scams.
Conditional
yo: estafaría
The conditional of estafar (estafaría, estafarías, etc.) is used for hypotheticals and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: estafe
The present subjunctive of estafar (estofe, estafes, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: estafa
The imperative of estafar is mostly regular, with commands like 'estafa' (tú) and 'estafad' (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no estafes
Negative commands for estafar use the present subjunctive: no estafes (tú), no estafen (ustedes).