fijar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
fijar — to set
The imperfect subjunctive of fijar (fijara/fijase) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
fijar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is perfect for talking about hypothetical situations or wishes in the past, or in polite requests. If you wished that you *had set* something, or if you were imagining a situation where you *would set* something, you'd use this. For example, 'Ojalá fijara el precio correcto' (I wish I set the right price).
Notes on fijar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Fijar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se endings are correct, though the -ra form (fijara, fijaras, fijara, fijáramos, fijarais, fijaran) is more common in many regions.
Example Sentences
Si fijara mi atención en los detalles, no cometería tantos errores.
If I fixed my attention on the details, I wouldn't make so many mistakes.
yo
Me gustaría que fijaras tu mirada en el horizonte.
I would like you to fix your gaze on the horizon.
tú
Ellos actuarían como si fijaran el objetivo por primera vez.
They would act as if they were setting the goal for the first time.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Ojalá fijáramos un plan antes de empezar.
I wish we would set a plan before starting.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For hypothetical 'if' clauses or wishes, use 'Si fijara...' not 'Si fijaba...'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive expresses unreal or hypothetical conditions, while the imperfect indicative describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'fijara' and 'fijase' are correct imperfect subjunctive forms, but 'fijara' is generally more common.
Why: While interchangeable in many contexts, regional preferences exist, and it's good to recognize both.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: fijo
The present tense of fijar (fijo, fijas, fija, fijamos, fijáis, fijan) describes current or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: fijé
The preterite of fijar is regular: fijé, fijaste, fijó, fijamos, fijasteis, fijaron, used for completed past actions.
Imperfect
yo: fijaba
The imperfect tense of fijar (fijaba, fijabas, fijaba, fijábamos, fijabais, fijaban) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: fijaré
The future tense of fijar (fijaré, fijarás, fijará, fijaremos, fijaréis, fijarán) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: fijaría
The conditional of fijar (fijaría, fijarías, fijaría, fijaríamos, fijaríais, fijarían) expresses hypotheticals ('would') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: fije
The present subjunctive of fijar (fije, fijes, fije, fijemos, fijéis, fijen) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: fija
Use the imperative of fijar for direct commands: fija (tú), fije (usted), fijemos (nosotros), fijen (ustedes), fijad (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no fijes
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive: no fijes (tú), no fije (usted), no fijemos (nosotros), no fijen (ustedes), no fijéis (vosotros).