instar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
instar — to urge
The imperfect subjunctive of instar, like 'instara' or 'instase', is used for past hypothetical situations or past wishes.
instar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is for talking about urging someone in the past, but in a hypothetical, uncertain, or indirect way. Think 'if I were to urge them' or 'I wished you would urge him'.
Notes on instar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Instar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms exist (e.g., instara/instase), with -ra often being more common in spoken Spanish.
Example Sentences
Si yo te instara a hacerlo, ¿lo harías?
If I were to urge you to do it, would you?
yo
Ojalá ella nos instara a participar.
I wish she would urge us to participate.
él/ella/usted
Ellos habrían venido si los instáramos.
They would have come if we urged them.
nosotros
Me sorprendió que tú me instaras a cambiar de opinión.
It surprised me that you urged me to change my mind.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing imperfect subjunctive with preterite or imperfect indicative.
Correct: Use 'instara' for hypotheticals/wishes, not 'instó' (preterite) or 'instaba' (imperfect).
Why: The subjunctive mood signals unreality, doubt, or emotion, which is different from factual past actions.
Mistake: Using the wrong ending for the -ra form.
Correct: Ensure correct endings like 'instara', 'instaras', 'instáramos'.
Why: These endings are specific to the imperfect subjunctive conjugation.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: insto
The present tense of instar: 'insto', 'instas', 'insta', 'instamos', 'instáis', 'instan' is used for urging happening now or habitually.
Preterite
yo: insté
The preterite of instar is regular: insté, instaste, instó, instamos, instasteis, instaron.
Imperfect
yo: instaba
The imperfect of instar: 'instaba', 'instabas', 'instaba', 'instábamos', 'instabais', 'instaban' describes past urging that was ongoing or habitual.
Future
yo: instaré
The future tense of instar: 'instaré', 'instarás', 'instará', 'instaremos', 'instaréis', 'instarán' indicates future urging or probability.
Conditional
yo: instaría
The conditional of instar: 'instaría', 'instarías', 'instaría', 'instaríamos', 'instaríais', 'instarían' is for hypothetical urging or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: inste
The present subjunctive of instar, 'insté', 'instes', 'instemos', etc., is used after expressions of desire, doubt, emotion, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: insta
The imperative of instar is mostly regular, with 'insta' (tú) and 'instemos' (nosotros) being key forms.
Negative Imperative
yo: no instes
Negative commands with instar use the present subjunctive: 'no instes', 'no inste', 'no instemos', etc.