nutrir Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
nutrir — to nourish
The imperfect subjunctive of 'nutrir' (nutriera/nutriese, nutrieras/nutrieses, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
nutrir Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is for hypothetical situations in the past, polite requests, or expressing wishes that might not have come true. Think 'if I nourished...' or 'I wish she would nourish...'.
Notes on nutrir in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Nutrir is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se endings are correct, though -ra is more common in everyday speech.
Example Sentences
Si yo nutriera mejor a mis plantas, estarían más verdes.
If I nourished my plants better, they would be greener.
yo
Ojalá tú nutrieras más a menudo tus sueños.
I wish you would nourish your dreams more often.
tú
Me gustaría que usted nutriera su talento.
I would like you to nourish your talent.
Ellos pensaban que nosotros nutriríamos la paz.
They thought we would nourish peace.
nosotros
Si ellas nutrieran sus amistades, tendrían más apoyo.
If they nourished their friendships, they would have more support.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si yo nutría...'.
Correct: For hypothetical 'if' clauses in the past, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si yo nutriera...'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is specifically for unreal or hypothetical conditions in the past.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms, or using an incorrect ending.
Correct: Remember the patterns: nutriera/nutriese (yo/él/ella/usted), nutrieras/nutrieses (tú), etc.
Why: Both sets of endings are valid but need to be conjugated correctly for each person.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: nutro
The present tense of 'nutrir' is regular: nutro, nutres, nutre, nutrimos, nutrís, nutren.
Preterite
yo: nutrí
The preterite of 'nutrir' is regular: nutrí, nutriste, nutrió, nutrimos, nutristeis, nutrieron.
Imperfect
yo: nutría
The imperfect of 'nutrir' is regular: nutría, nutrías, nutría, nutríamos, nutríais, nutrían.
Future
yo: nutriré
The future tense of 'nutrir' is regular: nutriré, nutrirás, nutrirá, nutriremos, nutriréis, nutrirán.
Conditional
yo: nutriría
The conditional of 'nutrir' is regular: nutriría, nutrirías, nutriría, nutriríamos, nutriríais, nutrirían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: nutra
The present subjunctive of 'nutrir' (nutra, nutras, nutramos, nutran) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: nutre
Nutre (tú), nutrid (vosotros), nutra (usted), nutramos (nosotros), nutran (ustedes) are the commands for 'nutrir'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no nutras
Negative commands for 'nutrir' use the present subjunctive: no nutras (tú), no nutráis (vosotros), no nutra (usted), no nutramos (nosotros), no nutran (ustedes).