intervenir Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
intervenir — to intervene
The imperfect subjunctive uses the irregular stem 'intervinier-' for all forms.
intervenir Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this for hypothetical situations or polite requests in the past. It's common in 'if' clauses (Si yo interviniera...) or after past-tense verbs of influence.
Notes on intervenir in the Imperfect Subjunctive
The stem is derived from the preterite 3rd person plural (intervinieron). Note the 'i' instead of 'e' in the stem (intervin-).
Example Sentences
Si el gobierno interviniera, la situación mejoraría.
If the government intervened, the situation would improve.
él/ella/usted
Me gustaría que ellos intervinieran más.
I would like them to participate more.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Dudaba que tú intervinieras en la pelea.
I doubted that you would intervene in the fight.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'interveniera' instead of 'interviniera'.
Correct: interviniera
Why: Like the preterite, this tense requires the 'i' stem change (intervin-). Using the infinitive stem 'interven-' is a common error.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: intervengo
Intervenir is irregular in the present, featuring a 'g' in the 'yo' form and an 'ie' stem change in others.
Preterite
yo: intervine
Intervenir is highly irregular in the preterite, following the 'u-stem' pattern (intervin-).
Imperfect
yo: intervenía
The imperfect of intervenir is regular: intervenía, intervenías, intervenía...
Future
yo: intervendré
The future tense of intervenir uses the irregular stem 'intervendr-'.
Conditional
yo: intervendría
The conditional uses the irregular stem 'intervendr-' followed by regular -ía endings.
Present Subjunctive
yo: intervenga
Intervenir is irregular in the present subjunctive, using the stem 'interveng-' for all persons.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: intervén
The imperative uses the short form 'intervén' for the informal 'tú' command.
Negative Imperative
yo: no intervengas
The negative imperative always uses the present subjunctive forms with 'no'.