ganarse Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
ganarse — to earn
Use imperfect subjunctive forms like 'me ganara' for past hypotheticals or wishes with 'ganarse'.
ganarse Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
The imperfect subjunctive is used for hypothetical situations, wishes, or doubts in the past. For 'ganarse', you might say something like 'Ojalá me ganara la lotería' (I wish I would win the lottery) or talk about what someone would have earned if something else had happened.
Notes on ganarse in the Imperfect Subjunctive
The verb 'ganarse' is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms exist, but the -ra form ('ganara') is more common and generally preferred.
Example Sentences
Si tuviera más tiempo, me ganara un buen sueldo.
If I had more time, I would earn a good salary.
yo
Me pidió que me ganara su confianza.
He asked me to earn his trust.
yo
Era importante que ustedes se ganaran el respeto.
It was important that you all earned respect.
Yo creía que te ganarías el ascenso.
I thought you would earn the promotion.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite or imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For hypothetical or past wishes, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'si me ganara', 'ojalá me ganara'.
Why: The indicative mood describes facts or reality, while the subjunctive is used for non-factual, desired, or hypothetical situations.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms, or using the wrong one.
Correct: Both 'ganara' and 'ganase' are correct, but 'ganara' is more common. Stick to one form for consistency.
Why: While both are grammatically correct, learners often get confused about which to use or when. Using the -ra form is a safe bet.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: me gano
Use present tense forms like 'me gano' for habitual actions or things you earn now.
Preterite
yo: me gané
Use preterite forms like 'me gané' for completed past actions of earning.
Imperfect
yo: me ganaba
Use imperfect forms like 'me ganaba' for ongoing or habitual past earning.
Future
yo: me ganaré
Use future forms like 'me ganaré' for actions that will happen or probabilities.
Conditional
yo: me ganaría
Use conditional forms like 'me ganaría' for hypothetical earning ('would earn').
Present Subjunctive
yo: me gane
Use present subjunctive forms like 'me gane' after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion with 'ganarse'.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: gánate
Use imperative forms like 'gánate' (earn it!) for direct commands with 'ganarse'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no te ganes
Use 'no te ganes' and similar forms for negative commands with 'ganarse'.