menospreciar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation

When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive

Use the imperfect subjunctive after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or in 'if' clauses referring to hypothetical or unlikely situations in the past or present. For 'menospreciar,' it might appear in sentences like 'I wish you hadn't undervalued that' or 'If I had known you would undervalue it...'.

Notes on menospreciar in the Imperfect Subjunctive

Menospreciar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both -ra and -se forms exist (e.g., menospreciara/menospreciase), but the -ra form is more common.

Example Sentences

• Ojalá no hubiera menospreciado su consejo.

  I wish I hadn't undervalued his advice.

  yo

• Si tú menospreciaras el peligro, te arrepentirías.

  If you undervalued the danger, you would regret it.

  tú

• Me entristeció que él menospreciara tanto mi esfuerzo.

  It saddened me that he undervalued my effort so much.

  él/ella/usted

• Dudábamos que ellos menospreciaran la dificultad.

  We doubted they would undervalue the difficulty.

  ellos/ellas/ustedes

• Si vosotros menospreciarais la oportunidad, sería una pena.

  If you (plural, informal) undervalued the opportunity, it would be a shame.

  vosotros

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si tú menospreciabas'.

  Correct: In hypothetical 'if' clauses or after verbs of doubt/emotion, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si tú menospreciaras'.

  Why: The subjunctive mood is required to express uncertainty, hypothetical situations, or emotions, unlike the indicative which states facts.

• Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms incorrectly.

  Correct: While both exist, stick to one form consistently within a sentence. The -ra form is generally more common: 'menospreciara'.

  Why: Both forms are grammatically correct, but mixing them can sound unnatural.

Related Tenses