inclinar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
inclinar — to tilt
Use imperfect subjunctive forms like 'inclinara' or 'inclinase' for past hypotheticals or wishes.
inclinar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
The imperfect subjunctive is used for actions or states in the past that were hypothetical, uncertain, or desired. It's common in 'if' clauses referring to unreal conditions ('If I tilted the table...') or after expressions of doubt or emotion in the past.
Notes on inclinar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Inclinar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra or -se ending (e.g., 'inclinara' or 'inclinase'), with '-ra' often being more common.
Example Sentences
Si yo inclinara mi silla, me caería.
If I tilted my chair, I would fall.
yo
Me gustaría que inclinaras la lámpara un poco más.
I would like you to tilt the lamp a bit more.
tú
Ojalá él inclinara la balanza a nuestro favor.
Hopefully, he would tilt the scales in our favor.
él/ella/usted
Ellos se movieron como si inclinaran el barco.
They moved as if they were tilting the boat.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite or imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'inclinara' after 'si' for hypothetical situations, not 'inclinó' or 'inclinaba'.
Why: The subjunctive is required for non-factual or hypothetical clauses.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'inclinara' and 'inclinase' are correct for the yo/él/ella/usted form.
Why: While both are grammatically correct, one might be more common in certain regions or contexts.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: inclino
Use present forms like 'inclino' or 'inclinan' for actions happening now or habitual tilting.
Preterite
yo: incliné
The preterite of 'inclinar' is regular: incliné, inclinaste, inclinó, inclinamos, inclinasteis, inclinaron.
Imperfect
yo: inclinaba
Use imperfect forms like 'inclinaba' or 'inclinaban' for ongoing or habitual past actions of tilting.
Future
yo: inclinaré
Use future forms like 'inclinaré' or 'inclinarán' to talk about definite future tilting.
Conditional
yo: inclinaría
Use conditional forms like 'inclinaría' or 'inclinarían' for hypothetical situations or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: incline
Use present subjunctive forms like 'incline' or 'inclinen' after verbs of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: inclina
Use imperative forms like 'inclina' and 'inclinen' for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no inclines
Use 'no inclines' or 'no inclinen' for negative commands, based on the present subjunctive.