lamer Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
lamer — to lick
The imperfect subjunctive forms (lamiera, lamieras, etc.) express hypothetical or past subjunctive actions.
lamer Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is used for hypothetical situations in the past, polite requests, or expressing doubt/desire about past events. For 'lamer,' think 'If I were to lick...' or 'I wish you would lick...'.
Notes on lamer in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Lamer is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. The -ra and -se forms are interchangeable, though -ra is more common.
Example Sentences
Si yo lamiera el pastel, mi mamá se enojaría.
If I were to lick the cake, my mom would get angry.
yo
Me gustaría que tú lamieras el borde.
I would like you to lick the edge.
tú
Ojalá él lamiera sus heridas más rápido.
I wish he would lick his wounds faster.
él/ella/usted
Si vosotros lamierais el plato, os daría postre.
If you all were to lick the plate, I'd give you dessert.
vosotros
Ellos pidieron que yo lamiera la marca.
They asked that I lick the mark.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive, e.g., 'Si yo lamí'.
Correct: For hypothetical 'if' clauses in the past, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si yo lamiera'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is required for these types of unreal or hypothetical past conditions.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings, or using the wrong one.
Correct: Both 'lamiera' and 'lamiese' are correct for 'yo' or 'él/ella/usted'. Use 'lamiera' for consistency if unsure.
Why: While interchangeable, learners might incorrectly use one form when the other is expected in certain contexts or regions.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: lamo
The present indicative (lamo, lames, lame, etc.) describes current or habitual licking.
Preterite
yo: lamí
The preterite of lamer (lamí, lamiste, lamió, etc.) describes completed licking actions in the past.
Imperfect
yo: lamía
The imperfect (lamía, lamías, etc.) describes past habits or ongoing licking actions.
Future
yo: lameré
The future tense (lameré, lamerás, etc.) indicates licking actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: lamería
The conditional (lamería, lamerías, etc.) expresses 'would' licking, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: lama
The present subjunctive (lama, lamas, etc.) is used for wishes, doubts, and emotions.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: lame
Lame, lamad, lama, lamamos, laman are commands for 'lick'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no lamas
No lamas, no lamáis, no lama, no lamamos, no laman are negative commands for 'lick'.