mimar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation

When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive

This tense is great for talking about hypothetical situations or wishes in the past. For instance, 'Si mimara más a mi hermano, sería más feliz.' (If I pampered my brother more, he would be happier.) It's also used after expressions of doubt or emotion in the past.

Notes on mimar in the Imperfect Subjunctive

Mimar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You form it by taking the 'ellos/ellas/ustedes' preterite form ('mimaron'), dropping the '-ron', and adding the subjunctive endings (-ra, -ras, -ra, -ramos, -rais, -ran). So, 'mimaran' becomes 'mimara', 'mimaras', etc.

Example Sentences

• Si yo te mimara más, ¿estarías contento?

  If I pampered you more, would you be happy?

  yo

• Ojalá él nos mimara como nosotros a él.

  I wish he would pamper us like we do him.

  él/ella/usted

• Sería bueno que ustedes nos mimaran un poco.

  It would be good if you all pampered us a little.

  ellos/ellas/ustedes

• Si vosotros los mimarais más, no serían tan independientes.

  If you (plural, informal) pampered them more, they wouldn't be so independent.

  vosotros

• Yo pensaba que tú me mimaras siempre.

  I thought you would always pamper me.

  tú

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive in 'if' clauses, e.g., 'Si yo mimaba más...'.

  Correct: Use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si yo mimara más...'.

  Why: Hypothetical conditions ('if' clauses) trigger the subjunctive mood.

• Mistake: Confusing the '-ra' and '-se' forms, e.g., using 'mimase' when 'mimara' is expected.

  Correct: Both forms are generally interchangeable, but 'mimara' is often preferred and more common in many regions. Stick to one consistently if unsure.

  Why: The imperfect subjunctive has two sets of endings: -ra/-ras/-ra/-ramos/-rais/-ran and -se/-ses/-se/-semos/-seis/-sen. Both are correct, but regional preferences exist.

Related Tenses