numerar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
numerar — to number
The imperfect subjunctive (e.g., 'numerara' or 'numerase') is for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
numerar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this tense for things that *might have* happened or were wished for in the past, often in 'if' clauses. For example, 'Si numerara los libros, me ayudarías?' (If you were to number the books, would you help me?).
Notes on numerar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Numerar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive, forming both the -ra and -se endings from the preterite stem. The -ra form is more common.
Example Sentences
Si yo numerara todas las fotos, tendríamos un álbum genial.
If I were to number all the photos, we would have a great album.
yo
Quería que tú numeraras los vasos antes de la fiesta.
I wanted you to number the glasses before the party.
tú
Ojalá ellos numeraran los capítulos correctamente.
I wish they would number the chapters correctly.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Me pidió que numerara las sillas en orden.
He asked me to number the chairs in order.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive for past hypotheticals.
Correct: Use 'Si numerara...' not 'Si numeró...'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is essential for expressing hypothetical or unreal situations in the past.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: While both are correct, the -ra form (e.g., 'numerara') is generally more common in everyday speech.
Why: Both forms are grammatically valid imperfect subjunctive endings.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: numero
The present tense (numero, numeras, numera...) is regular and used for current actions or habits.
Preterite
yo: numeré
The preterite of numerar is regular: numeré, numeraste, numeró, numeramos, numerasteis, numeraron.
Imperfect
yo: numeraba
The imperfect tense (numeraba, numerabas...) is regular and describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: numeraré
The future tense (numeraré, numerarás...) is regular, with the infinitive as the stem.
Conditional
yo: numeraría
The conditional (numeraría, numerarías...) is regular and used for hypotheticals ('would') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: numere
The present subjunctive (e.g., 'numere', 'numeres') expresses wishes, doubts, or emotions about the present or future.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: numera
Use imperative forms like 'numera' (tú) and 'numere' (usted) for direct commands with 'numerar'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no numeres
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive, e.g., 'no numeres' (tú) or 'no numere' (usted).