incendiar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
incendiar — to set on fire
The imperfect subjunctive ('incendiara' or 'incendiase') talks about past hypotheticals or wishes.
incendiar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive for hypothetical situations in the past, expressing doubts, or in polite requests that didn't necessarily happen. For example, 'Si incendiara la casa, me arrestarían' (If I were to set the house on fire, they would arrest me).
Notes on incendiar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
'Incendiar' is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms are correct, though -ra is more common.
Example Sentences
Ojalá no incendiara el documento importante.
I wish I hadn't set fire to the important document.
yo
Si él incendiara la hoguera, todos estarían calientes.
If he were to light the bonfire, everyone would be warm.
él/ella/usted
Me pidieron que no incendiara nada.
They asked me not to set anything on fire.
yo
Si vosotros incendiarais la pira, sería peligroso.
If you guys were to set the pyre alight, it would be dangerous.
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'incendiara' or 'incendiase', not 'incendió'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is for hypothetical or past wishes/doubts, while the preterite is for completed actions.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both 'incendiara' and 'incendiase' are correct, as are 'incendiaras'/'incendieses', etc.
Why: Learners sometimes think only one form is correct or get the endings mixed up.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: incendio
The present tense ('incendio', 'incendias') describes actions happening now or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: incendié
The preterite of 'incendiar' is regular: incendié, incendiaste, incendió, incendiamos, incendiasteis, incendiaron.
Imperfect
yo: incendiaba
The imperfect ('incendiaba', 'incendiabas') describes ongoing or habitual past actions, like 'incendiaba la chimenea cada noche'.
Future
yo: incendiaré
The future tense ('incendiaré', 'incendiarás') indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: incendiaría
The conditional ('incendiaría', 'incendiarías') expresses hypotheticals ('would set fire') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: incendie
The present subjunctive ('incendie', 'incendies', etc.) expresses wishes, doubts, or emotions about the present or future.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: incendia
Commands like 'incendia tú' or 'incendien ustedes' are formed directly from the present subjunctive (except for tú).
Negative Imperative
yo: no incendies
Negative commands like 'no incendies' always use the present subjunctive forms.