Inklingo
A hand pulling a bicycle brake lever on a handlebar.

frenar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation

frenarto brake

A2regular -ar★★★★★
Quick answer:

Frenara/frenase, frenaras/frenases, frenara/frenase, frenáramos/frenásemos, frenarais/frenaseis, frenaran/frenasen are imperfect subjunctive forms of 'frenar'.

frenar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms

yofrenara
frenaras
él/ella/ustedfrenara
nosotrosfrenáramos
vosotrosfrenarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesfrenaran

When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive

This tense is for hypothetical situations, wishes, or polite requests in the past or present. For 'frenar', it might be used in 'if I had braked' or 'I wish you would brake' scenarios.

Notes on frenar in the Imperfect Subjunctive

Frenar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se endings are correct, though -ra is more common in many regions.

Example Sentences

  • Si hubiera sabido, habría frenado a tiempo.

    If I had known, I would have braked on time.

    yo

  • Ojalá tú frenaras más suavemente.

    I wish you would brake more smoothly.

  • El instructor pidió que el conductor frenase en la curva.

    The instructor asked that the driver brake on the curve.

    él/ella/usted

  • Nos pidieron que frenáramos al ver la luz roja.

    They asked us to brake upon seeing the red light.

    nosotros

  • Sería mejor si ellos frenaran despacio.

    It would be better if they braked slowly.

    ellos/ellas/ustedes

Common Mistakes

  • Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive for hypothetical situations.

    Correct: Use 'frenara' or 'frenase' for hypotheticals, not 'frenó'.

    Why: The imperfect subjunctive is specifically for unreal or hypothetical conditions.

  • Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.

    Correct: Both are correct, but 'frenara' is generally more common than 'frenase'.

    Why: Regional preferences exist, but both are grammatically valid imperfect subjunctive endings.

Master Spanish verbs in context

Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'frenar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.

Related Tenses