maltratar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
maltratar — to mistreat
The imperfect subjunctive of maltratar (maltratara/maltrataras/etc.) is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
maltratar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is perfect for talking about past hypothetical situations, wishes, or doubts, often in 'if' clauses or after expressions of desire. For example, 'Si maltrataras a tus amigos, no tendrías muchos.' (If you mistreated your friends, you wouldn't have many.) It's also used to express a desire in the past, like 'Quería que no maltratara el perro.' (I wanted him/her not to mistreat the dog.)
Notes on maltratar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Maltratar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms exist (e.g., maltratara, maltratase), but the -ra form is more common in everyday speech.
Example Sentences
Si maltrataras a tu familia, te arrepentirías.
If you mistreated your family, you would regret it.
tú
Ojalá no maltrataran a los animales.
I wish they wouldn't mistreat the animals.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Me entristeció que usted maltratara al perro.
It saddened me that you mistreated the dog.
él/ella/usted
Si maltratáramos el medio ambiente, sufriríamos las consecuencias.
If we mistreated the environment, we would suffer the consequences.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite or imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For hypothetical or past wishes, use forms like 'maltratara' or 'maltrataras', not 'maltrató' or 'maltrataba'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is essential for expressing non-factual or desired situations.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: While both exist ('maltratara' and 'maltratase'), the -ra form is generally more common and widely understood.
Why: Learners might be exposed to both and get confused, or use the less common -se form incorrectly.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: maltrato
The present tense of maltratar (maltrato, maltratas, etc.) describes habitual or current mistreatment.
Preterite
yo: maltraté
The preterite of maltratar (maltraté, maltrataste, etc.) describes completed actions of mistreating in the past.
Imperfect
yo: maltrataba
The imperfect of maltratar (maltrataba, maltratabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past mistreatment.
Future
yo: maltrataré
The future tense of maltratar (maltrataré, maltratarás, etc.) indicates a future action of mistreating or probability.
Conditional
yo: maltrataría
The conditional of maltratar (maltrataría, maltratarías, etc.) is used for hypotheticals ('would mistreat') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: maltrate
The present subjunctive of maltratar (maltrate, maltrates, etc.) expresses wishes, doubts, or emotions about present/future actions.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: maltrata
Use the imperative of maltratar for direct commands like 'maltrata' (tú) or 'maltraten' (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no maltrates
Negative commands for maltratar use the present subjunctive, like 'no maltrates' (tú) or 'no maltraten' (ustedes).