exterminar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
exterminar — to exterminate
The imperfect subjunctive of exterminar (exterminara/exterminase) expresses hypothetical or unlikely past actions.
exterminar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is great for talking about past hypothetical situations or expressing wishes and doubts in the past. For example, 'If I had exterminated the weeds, the garden would be beautiful.'
Notes on exterminar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Exterminar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra form (exterminara) or the -se form (exterminase), with the -ra form being more common in many regions.
Example Sentences
Si yo exterminara la plaga, no tendríamos problemas.
If I were to exterminate the pest, we wouldn't have problems.
yo
Ojalá tú exterminaras las malas hierbas.
I wish you would exterminate the weeds.
tú
Él actuó como si exterminara a los fantasmas.
He acted as if he were exterminating ghosts.
él/ella/usted
Nos pidieron que extermináramos el problema.
They asked us to exterminate the problem.
nosotros
Ellos hablaban de que exterminaran a los mosquitos.
They were talking about exterminating the mosquitoes.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite or imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For hypothetical or wishful thinking in the past, use forms like 'exterminara' or 'exterminase'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is essential for expressing non-factual or subjective situations.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both 'exterminara' and 'exterminase' are correct imperfect subjunctive forms, but 'exterminara' is often more common.
Why: Learners might not be aware of the dual forms or their regional preferences.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: extermino
The present tense of exterminar (extermino, exterminas, etc.) describes current or habitual actions of exterminating.
Preterite
yo: exterminé
The preterite of exterminar is regular: exterminé, exterminaste, exterminó, exterminamos, exterminasteis, exterminaron.
Imperfect
yo: exterminaba
The imperfect of exterminar (exterminaba, exterminabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions of exterminating.
Future
yo: exterminaré
The future tense of exterminar is regular: exterminaré, exterminarás, exterminará, exterminaremos, exterminaréis, exterminarán.
Conditional
yo: exterminaría
The conditional of exterminar (exterminaría, exterminarías, etc.) expresses hypothetical actions ('would'), polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: extermine
The present subjunctive of exterminar (extermine, extermines, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, and uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: extermina
Imperative commands for exterminar: extermina (tú), extermine (usted), exterminemos (nosotros), exterminad (vosotros), exterminen (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no extermines
Negative commands for exterminar use the present subjunctive: no extermines (tú), no extermine (usted), no exterminemos (nosotros), no exterminéis (vosotros), no exterminen (ustedes).