observar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
observar — observe
The imperfect subjunctive of observar (e.g., observara, observaras) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, and polite requests.
observar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive for hypothetical situations in the past, unreal conditions, or polite requests. It often appears in 'if' clauses or after verbs expressing doubt or desire about a past event.
Notes on observar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Observar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You take the 'ellos/ellas/ustedes' form of the preterite (observaron), drop the '-ron', and add the subjunctive endings (-a, -as, -a, -áramos, -arais, -an).
Example Sentences
Si yo observara el cielo más a menudo, vería más estrellas.
If I observed the sky more often, I would see more stars.
yo
Me gustaría que tú observaras mi trabajo.
I would like you to observe my work.
tú
Ellos actuarían diferente si observaran la situación completa.
They would act differently if they observed the complete situation.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Ojalá usted observara las reglas.
I wish you would observe the rules.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive in hypothetical 'if' clauses.
Correct: For unreal or hypothetical past conditions, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si observara...'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive sets up the hypothetical scenario, while the conditional describes the potential outcome.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Both 'observara' and 'observase' are correct, but the -ra form is more common in many regions. Stick to one for consistency.
Why: Spanish has two sets of endings for the imperfect subjunctive (-ra/-ras/-ra/-ramos/-rais/-ran and -se/-ses/-se/-semos/-seis/-sen), but they are generally interchangeable.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: observo
The present tense of observar (observo, observas, observa...) is used for habitual actions, things happening now, and general truths.
Preterite
yo: observé
The preterite of observar (observé, observaste, observó...) indicates completed actions in the past.
Imperfect
yo: observaba
The imperfect tense of observar (observaba, observabas, observaba...) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: observaré
The future tense of observar (observaré, observarás, observará...) is used for actions that will happen or to express probability.
Conditional
yo: observaría
The conditional of observar (observaría, observarías, observaría...) expresses 'would' actions, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: observe
The present subjunctive of observar (observe, observes, observemos, observéis, observen) is used for wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: observa
Imperative forms of observar include: observa (tú), observe (usted), observemos (nosotros), observad (vosotros), observen (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no observes
Negative commands for 'observar' use the present subjunctive: no observes (tú), no observe (usted), no observemos (nosotros), no observéis (vosotros), no observen (ustedes).