estorbar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
estorbar — to be in the way
Use estorbara/estorara or estorbarais/estorbarais for hypothetical past situations or wishes.
estorbar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
The imperfect subjunctive is used for hypothetical situations, wishes, doubts, or emotions in the past. For 'estorbar,' you might say, 'Ojalá no estorbara tanto' (I wish he wouldn't get in the way so much) or 'Si estorbara, te lo diría' (If it were in the way, I'd tell you).
Notes on estorbar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Estorbar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms exist, but the -ra form (estorbara, estorbaras, etc.) is more common, especially in spoken Spanish.
Example Sentences
Si yo estorbara, me iría.
If I were in the way, I would leave.
yo
No quería que estorbara tus planes.
I didn't want you to get in the way of your plans.
tú
Ellos actuaron como si no estorbara nada.
They acted as if it weren't in the way at all.
él/ella/usted
Nos pidieron que no estorbáramos la grabación.
They asked us not to get in the way of the recording.
nosotros
Sería mejor si ustedes no estorbaran.
It would be better if you all didn't get in the way.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive in 'if' clauses.
Correct: For hypothetical past conditions, use the imperfect subjunctive (e.g., 'Si estorbara...').
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is required for unreal or hypothetical conditions in the past.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: While both are technically correct, the -ra form is more common and generally preferred in most contexts.
Why: Usage patterns dictate preference, and -ra is more widespread.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: estorbo
Use estorbo, estorbas, estorba, estorbamos, estorbáis, estorban for current or habitual blocking.
Preterite
yo: estorbé
Use estorbé, estorbaste, estorbó, estorbamos, estorbasteis, estorbaron for completed actions of blocking.
Imperfect
yo: estorbaba
Use estorbaba, estorbabas, estorbaba, estorbábamos, estorbabais, estorbaban for ongoing or habitual past blocking.
Future
yo: estorbaré
Use estorbaré, estorbarás, estorbará, estorbaremos, estorbaréis, estorbarán for future blocking.
Conditional
yo: estorbaría
Use estorbaría, estorbarías, estorbaría, estorbaríamos, estorbaríais, estorbarían for hypothetical blocking.
Present Subjunctive
yo: estorbe
Use estorbe, estorbemos, estorben after wishes, doubts, or impersonal expressions.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: estorba
Use estorba, estorbe, estorbemos, estorbad, estorben for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no estorbes
Use no estorbes, no estorbe, no estorbemos, no estorbéis, no estorben for negative commands.