generar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
generar — to generate
The imperfect subjunctive of generar (generara/generase) expresses past wishes, doubts, or hypothetical situations.
generar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is used for hypothetical situations in the past, or to express wishes, doubts, or emotions about past events. It often appears in 'if' clauses or after expressions of desire or uncertainty that started in the past.
Notes on generar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Generar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms are correct, though the -ra form (generara, generaras, etc.) is more common in many regions. The conjugation is based on the third-person plural preterite form 'generaron'.
Example Sentences
Si generara más ingresos, podría invertir.
If I generated more income, I could invest.
yo
Quería que generaras ideas nuevas.
I wanted you to generate new ideas.
tú
Esperaba que él generara confianza.
I hoped he would generate trust.
él/ella/usted
Ojalá generáramos menos residuos.
If only we generated less waste.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For hypothetical 'if' clauses or past wishes, use 'Si generara...' not 'Si generaba...'.
Why: The indicative mood describes reality, while the subjunctive is for non-real or uncertain situations, especially in conditional or dependent clauses.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both 'generara' and 'generase' are correct for the imperfect subjunctive, but 'generara' is generally more common.
Why: Learners might be unsure which ending to use or think only one is correct.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'generar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: genero
The present tense of generar is regular: genero, generas, genera, generamos, generáis, generan.
Preterite
yo: generé
The preterite of generar is regular: generé, generaste, generó, generamos, generasteis, generaron.
Imperfect
yo: generaba
The imperfect of generar is regular: generaba, generabas, generaba, generábamos, generabais, generaban.
Future
yo: generaré
The future tense of generar is regular: generaré, generarás, generará, generaremos, generaréis, generarán.
Conditional
yo: generaría
The conditional of generar is regular: generaría, generarías, generaría, generaríamos, generaríais, generarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: genere
The present subjunctive of generar (genere) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or impersonal statements.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: genera
The imperative of generar is irregular in vosotros (generad) but regular for tú (genera), usted (genere), nosotros (generemos), and ustedes (generen).
Negative Imperative
yo: no generes
Negative commands for generar use the present subjunctive: no generes (tú), no genere (usted), no generemos (nosotros), no generéis (vosotros), no generen (ustedes).