
montar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
montar — to ride
The imperfect subjunctive of montar expresses past doubts, wishes, or hypothetical situations.
montar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive of 'montar' when talking about past hypothetical situations, wishes, or doubts. It often appears in 'if' clauses ('si...') or after expressions like 'ojalá' (hopefully).
Notes on montar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Montar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You take the 'ellos/ellas/ustedes' preterite form ('montaron'), drop the '-ron', and add the subjunctive endings (-ra, -ras, -ra, -ramos, -rais, -ran).
Example Sentences
Si montara mi propio negocio, sería mi propio jefe.
If I were to start my own business, I would be my own boss.
yo
Ojalá montaras en bicicleta conmigo mañana.
I wish you would ride your bike with me tomorrow.
tú
Me gustaría que montaran un buen espectáculo.
I would like them to put on a good show.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Si nosotros montáramos un puesto en el mercado, ¿qué venderíamos?
If we were to set up a stall at the market, what would we sell?
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive in 'if' clauses.
Correct: For hypothetical past or present situations, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si montara...' not 'Si monté...'.
Why: The preterite refers to completed actions, while the imperfect subjunctive deals with unreal or hypothetical conditions.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both forms are correct, but the -ra form (montara, montaras) is more common in many regions. Ensure consistency.
Why: Learners might not realize both endings are valid or get confused about which one to use.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'montar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: monto
The present tense of montar describes habitual actions, things happening now, or general truths.
Preterite
yo: monté
The preterite of montar describes completed actions like riding or assembling in the past.
Imperfect
yo: montaba
The imperfect tense of montar describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: montaré
The future tense of montar expresses actions that will happen or probabilities.
Conditional
yo: montaría
The conditional of montar expresses 'would' actions, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: monte
The present subjunctive of montar is used for wishes, doubts, and suggestions.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: monta
Use the imperative of montar for direct commands like 'ride!' or 'let's ride!'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no montes
Use 'no' + present subjunctive for negative commands with montar, like 'don't ride!'.