estar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
estar — to be
The imperfect subjunctive uses the 'estuv-' stem: estuviera, estuvieras, estuviera, estuviéramos, estuvierais, estuvieran.
estar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this in 'if' clauses (e.g., 'If I were there...') or when the main verb is in the past and requires the subjunctive.
Notes on estar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is derived from the 3rd person plural of the preterite (estuvieron). Always remember the accent on the 'nosotros' form.
Example Sentences
Si yo estuviera en tu lugar, no iría.
If I were in your place, I wouldn't go.
yo
Me pidió que estuviera listo a las ocho.
He asked me to be ready at eight.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: estara
Correct: estuviera
Why: Learners often try to use the infinitive stem, but the imperfect subjunctive must use the preterite stem 'estuv-'.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: estoy
The present tense of estar is irregular in the 'yo' form (estoy) and requires accents on most other forms (estás, está, están).
Preterite
yo: estuve
The preterite of estar uses an irregular 'estuv-' stem: estuve, estuviste, estuvo, estuvimos, estuvisteis, estuvieron.
Imperfect
yo: estaba
Estar is regular in the imperfect: estaba, estabas, estaba, estábamos, estabais, estaban.
Future
yo: estaré
Estar is regular in the future tense: estaré, estarás, estará, estaremos, estaréis, estarán.
Conditional
yo: estaría
Estar is regular in the conditional: estaría, estarías, estaría, estaríamos, estaríais, estarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: esté
The present subjunctive of estar is irregular and all forms except 'nosotros' have accents: esté, estés, esté, estemos, estéis, estén.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: está
The imperative of estar is used to tell someone to 'be' in a certain state: está, esté, estemos, estad, estén.
Negative Imperative
yo: no estés
Negative commands for estar use the present subjunctive: no estés, no esté, no estemos, no estéis, no estén.