flotar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
flotar — to float
The imperfect subjunctive of flotar (flotara/flotase) is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
flotar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is great for talking about hypothetical situations in the past, wishes, or polite requests that were dependent on something else. For example, 'Ojalá el globo flotara más alto' (I wish the balloon would float higher) or 'Si la madera flotara, podríamos cruzar' (If the wood floated, we could cross).
Notes on flotar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Flotar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra or -se endings (e.g., flotara or flotase), but the -ra form is more common.
Example Sentences
Quería que el barco flotara sin ayuda.
I wanted the boat to float by itself.
él/ella/usted
Si el hielo flotara, podríamos patinar.
If the ice floated, we could skate.
él/ella/usted
Me habría gustado que la hoja flotara en el estanque.
I would have liked the leaf to float on the pond.
él/ella/usted
Yo esperaba que tú flotaras con más confianza.
I hoped you would float with more confidence.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite or imperfect indicative instead of the subjunctive.
Correct: For hypothetical or wishful thinking in the past, use 'flotara' or 'flotase'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is required for uncertainty, wishes, and hypothetical conditions.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both 'flotara' and 'flotase' are correct, but '-ra' is generally more common.
Why: While both are grammatically correct, regional and stylistic preferences exist.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: floto
The present tense of flotar (floto, flotas, etc.) describes current actions or general truths about floating.
Preterite
yo: floté
The preterite of flotar (floté, flotaste, etc.) describes completed actions of floating in the past.
Imperfect
yo: flotaba
The imperfect of flotar (flotaba, flotabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual floating in the past.
Future
yo: flotaré
The future tense of flotar (flotaré, flotarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: flotaría
The conditional of flotar (flotaría, flotarías, etc.) is used for hypotheticals ('would') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: flote
The present subjunctive of flotar (flote, flotes, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: flota
Use the imperative of flotar for direct commands like 'flota' (tú) or 'floten' (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no flotes
Use 'no' + present subjunctive for negative commands, like 'no flotes' (tú) or 'no floten' (ustedes).